Three big pieces on the programme. 160 teenage musicians almost all on stage throughout. No choreography, no body percussion and not a kazoo in sight. By National Youth Orchestra standards, this Proms appearance – the all-guns-blazing finale of the cohort’s year together – was positively straight-laced.
Yes, there were still whoops when friends and family members greeted individual musicians as they all poured on to the stage. And this remains the only orchestra on the annual Proms roster where 10 horns come as standard and piccolo-playing is a team sport.
