Here's what the the wonderful kids from the Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School had to say about the Swedish National Youth Orchestra!

Thomas, Grade 8:
The performance by the Swedish National Youth Orchestra was delightful and made my first experience at Carnegie Hall very amazing. The way they played made me proud to be a violinist and influenced me to work harder to become the best I can be in violin.

Kalyn, Grade 7:
I was amazed when I saw the Swedish National Youth Orchestra. Because I am a fellow violinist, I wondered how they were able to read their music so quickly. The music that was produced sounded very nice, and I especially liked the dramatic parts of the music. I enjoyed my visit to Carnegie Hall and seeing the Swedish National Youth Orchestra.

Playing the violin helps me as a person because it builds my self-esteem and keeps me determined to learn the music I have to play. It also makes me determined to put my mind to anything and do my best in anything I take an interest in.


When I went to Carnegie Hall, I felt honored to be there. I’ve heard that once you have played there, you have made it to the top.

Sharee, Grade 7:
The experience was fantastic, superb! Hearing the Swedish National Youth Orchestra was absolutely spectacular. I loved it! I couldn’t stay in my seat because the performance was jaw-dropping. Thanks to them, I listen to classical music every evening and I still remember their faces, so focused and their hands shifting so swiftly and elegantly on their fingerboards. Honestly, it was an honor to be in such a beautiful elegant place, it felt wonderful to be invited!

Tariq, Grade 7:
Violin has made me realize that I could do something with my life. I could do more than just sitting on the couch watching T.V. I finally know that I have more to offer the world. With God on my side, there’s nothing I can’t do.


Thank you Kids of Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School for attending our concert in Carnegie Hall and for your great and inspirational feedback!
The Swedish National Youth Orchestra

Andrew Patner was “knocked out” by the Swedish National Youth Orchestra

Here the wonderful words from Andrew Patner at 98.7wfmt. Andrew is a Chicago-based author, broadcaster, journalist, and arts critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. He attended the SNUO concert in Chicago on January 25th.

Listen to Andrew's review ->

"Unabashed young Swedish talent"

The "Nordstjernan" newspaper has published a review by Carl Loof of the Chicago concert:

Some quotes from the article:
"I found myself pleasantly humbled by the sensational performance of these impressive musicians, some as young as 15."

"It is encouraging to see such drive in the hearts and minds of talented Swedish youth to not just perform, but to compete, interact and excel on a global stage."

"I look forward to following in the success of these young musicians and those who they will undoubtedly inspire to similarly pursue dreams in Sweden and abroad."


Read the article ->

A dream fulfilled!

The tour is now formally over. Thank's to the Swedish Embassy we got a guided tour of the Washington DC landmarks before we took off home.

Approaching Capitolium

The White House

Lincoln Memorial 

The very spot where Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech.
It was quite a dream that took us out on this tour as well, and maybe it has woken up a few new ones...

Thank you all!

A lot more pictures will be made available to the members of the orchestra in a week or so. If you have pictures that you want to share with all the other members of the orchestra, send them to tore2e@gmail.com or upload them somewhere and send me a link. 

Final concert, Strathmore Center in Washington DC

A spectacular hall and a really good audience concluded the tour.

More pictures ->

Great success at Carnegie Hall!

The double bass that Takanari Koyama used in the concert was 400 years old and was once built for a double bass player who used to play with Beethoven. The instrument now belongs to Professor Kurt Muruki.

Hugo Ticciati made a very much appreciated introduction to Tobias Broström's "Samsara".

The orchestra made a good move and delivered it's best performance ever.

More pictures ->

Final preparations at Carnegie Hall

The Swedish National Youth Orchestra welcomes the wonderful kids from the Ten 0'clock Classics!

The Ten O'clock Classics is a non- profit organization providing weekly private music lessons and instruments free of charge to New York city school children.

"Dagens Industri" is writing about the tour and the orchestra

The Swedish newspaper "Dagens Industri" wrote about the tour and the SNUO orchestra on Jan 25th. They mention that the idea of forming an orchestra for extra talanted young Swedish musicians came from conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and that "you hardly can find a more inspiring experience than playing in the Carnegie Hall". Which they are doing tonight Jan 26th at 8.00 PM.

Afternoon off...

... to have a bite of The Big Apple

Empire State Building from street level

New York from the 102nd level

Times Square 

Re-assembly at the Grand Central Station

Master class at Juliard/Metropolitan

Master class with Professor Paul Pollard for the low brass players.

A voice from the audience at the Chicago Symphony Hall

The orchestra was wonderful! Such a talented group of young people, and such a consistently high quality performance!  We thought it was quite remarkable!
It was clear that the orchestra members are the "cream of the crop" of young instrumentalists. They were so together, with nimble fingers and beautiful expression.  It was a joy to hear them!

Preparing for rehearsasls at Cary Hall, New York

Concert at Scandinavia House hosted by Per Tengstrand

A group from the SNUO orchestra accompanied Per Tengstrand at Scandinavia House in New York Tuesday evening.

It developed into a fantastic concert with excellent presentations by Per Tengstrand, Tobias Broström and Hugo Ticciati.

Focus was on composer Tobias Broström and his music, especially the "Samsara" piece which was played in a duo version by Hugo Ticciati and Johan Bridger.

On the road again!

Departing from a (finally) sunny Chicago

Having to split the group on eight different flights to get all 15 cellos on board made the logistics a bit interesting.

 

It took us from early morning to late evening to get us all to New York.

First trip into town. To have meatballs at the Scandinavia House...

Samples from the Chicago concert

Concert at the Chicago Symphony Hall

More pictures ->