Musical Brothers in Arms
Published by Brentwood School on Monday 12th of December 2022
Two Brentwood School Music Scholars, musical brothers in arms, have gained coveted chairs in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO).Ore Fashesin-Souza and Owen Romhany, who have been an integral part of the School’s lauded Music Department since they made their Year 7 debut, will join an orchestra of teenage musicians from all over the UK.
A proud Brentwood School Director of Performing Arts & Director of Music, Mr Florian Cooper, said Ore and Owen had grown up in the Brentwood School Music Department: “The boys are both music scholars, in the same Lower Sixth year group, and since day one have been at every single rehearsal and concert together. Outside of school they also both enjoy singing in the Brentwood Cathedral choir and they have been the backbone of brass at Brentwood School for six years.
“Both boys are incredibly talented and dedicated to their instruments and music in general. Their commitment, expertise and musical maturity set them apart and even more importantly they are the ultimate role models; kind, always polite and full of humour, both boys are achieving what they deserve because of what they put in.”
Sixteen-year-old Ore, the School’s lead trumpeter, said: “I felt, and still feel, extremely excited not only because of the challenging process I had to endure to get into the NYO but also the music challenges that await me in the orchestra. I am ready to approach them head on using the mindset I have developed in the Brentwood School Music Department. If I didn’t have access to all the musical activities I take part in at school, my progression and love for music would’ve taken much longer to develop.”
Trombonist Owen, who is also 16, added: “To be accepted into the NYO is a really exciting opportunity for me that will open up even more connections in the music world and allow me to experience playing in an orchestra at a very high level. The Brentwood School Music Department is so motivating and encouraging for me, what with the numerous amazing musical opportunities which have strengthened my love for all kinds of music. The vast amount of co-curricular music we have a week really helps improve many aspects of my musical ability and prepares me for a future in music.”
The future of Brentwood School music is very bright indeed. As Mr Cooper explained: “The boys’ success is another sign that we are national leaders of music education with ever increasing numbers of our students achieving national acclaim, competition success and participation growing year on year. For Ore and Owen, this will enable them to stretch themselves as musicians and to bring the skills they learn back to the School community and to further inspire younger musicians within the School.”
