Senior School news

Fifth Former accepted into the prestigious Britten Sinfonia Academy

15 September 2017

Katja Ruda (U5E) has gained a place in the Britten Sinfonia Academy for music. Katja was offered a place having auditioned over the summer in Cambridge and can now look forward to being part of a musical Academy which has the development of young musicians at its heart.

 

Britten Sinfonia Academy (BSA) is a dynamic chamber orchestra for talented secondary school-aged musicians from the east of England. Mirroring the adventurous programming and musical excellence of our parent orchestra, BSA works without a conductor, playing side-by-side Britten Sinfonia musicians who nurture and challenge our members, developing their musical and leadership skills.

 

Katja said, ‘I am especially looking forward to working on the aspects outside the confines of a "normal" youth orchestra, such as playing without a conductor, in unusual places and playing electronic music. I think this will stretch me artistically and broadened my horizons. I think it is a real privilege to work with the professionals from the Britten Sinfonia. My teacher Emily Sheldrake has encouraged and pushed me and I would not have done it without her support’.

 

Katja added ‘In the summer holidays I was able to choose a new violin from the violin maker in the town where my German grandparents live. By strange coincidence I chose an old instrument that had been owned by one of my grandfather's orchestral colleagues which had not been played since he died. I am looking forward to playing with my new instrument and the connection that it brings me to my granddad who has encouraged me a lot since I started playing.’