THIS IS THE NATIONAL YOUTH FRENCH HORN ENSEMBLE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Come blow your horn . . . The NYFHE is the premier event for the cream of the UK's young French Horn talent. 2025 with be our sixth year.
A week of intensive coaching, led by some of the country's foremost players and teachers.
Dates:
Sun 17 - Fri 22 August 2025
Venue:
Cheltenham Ladies' College
Bayshill Rd.
Cheltenham
Gloucs. GL50 3EP
What to expect at NYFHE
There are many excellent extended courses around the country for young orchestral musicians. In an orchestra, however, each section has to wait its turn for moments of glory. Unlike the strings, the French horns may only be playing for a fraction of the time on the course.
In the NYFHE week, however, the French horns are centre stage the whole time. You will spend the time living and breathing horn music with some of the best young teachers and performers in the world.
You will be given structured days to study individual technique and multiple arrangements and original pieces for 'Horn Choir'. There will be chances for masterclasses, and performances to your peers and families.
We will be hosting the NYFHE week alongside our similar course for the National Youth Percussion Orchestra (NYPO). We plan to bring both ensembles together for at least one combined and exciting performance in the end of week concert.
NYFHE is led by first rate, professional orchestral players and teachers. The national opportunities for playing with a top level horn ensemble are rare at the best of times. Of course, at present, they are rarer still. That's why the NYFHE week will be especially valuable to all aspiring young players right now.
Beware! This is not for the faint hearted! You need to be an accomplished player; Grade 8 standard or higher (even if you don’t yet have the certificate). Also, you will need STAMINA! There will be a LOT of playing during the week. If you worry that you or your lip may not be up to the challenge then it is best to be realistic before applying.
There are only TWENTY places available on the course. If you are ready for the French Horn challenge of your life so far and feel you have what it takes, then . . . .
Course Leaders
Tim Thorpe
With the BBC NOW Tim has appeared as a soloist performing Mozart’s 4th Horn Concerto at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Strauss’ 1st Horn Concerto and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings in tours of England and Wales, all broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
He is also the horn soloist for the BBC Ten Pieces film, performing the Rondo to Mozart’s 4th Horn Concerto.
Away from the orchestra Tim enjoys a varied musical life as a chamber musician, soloist and as a session musician for film and TV soundtracks. He regularly gives masterclasses and recitals across the UK and Europe.
Tom Taffinder
He regularly plays with orchestras such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera and Birmingham Royal Ballet; and has worked on touring shows including Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Chair Holder), 42nd Street, The King & I, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Beauty & The Beast, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, and Billy Elliot.
As a chamber musician, Tom is a member of Top Brass Trio, who perform for Live Music Now and Music in Hospitals and Care, and have also appeared multiple times on BBC Radio 3 and for BBC Songs of Praise.
As well as tutoring on NYFHE, Tom is Horn tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Junior Department, and for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
Tom created and continues to run the Healthy Musician programme at the RWCMD Junior Department, and is also Wellbeing lead for NCO GB.
Zoe Tweed
She freelanced with various orchestras throughout the UK during and after finishing her studies, and accepted the position of 3rd Horn with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra a year after finishing her studies, in December 2023, becoming the youngest member of the orchestra.
As a soloist, Zoë has performed Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 with both the Hereford Symphony Orchestra and Oxford Sinfonia in 2023, and Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 with Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra in 2024. As a Countess of Munster Recital Scheme Artist she performs solo recitals across the UK.
Zoë has recorded music for film and TV and enjoys a wide variety of musical genres, and writes and arranges music for various instruments and ensembles.
Tim Jackson
As a composer and arranger, Timothy has received commissions from groups as diverse as the Academy of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, the Hallè, the Philharmonia and the Royal Opera House.
He was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of fifteen. He has gratitude for the opportunities and encouragement he received from the enthusiastic mentors around his Lancashire home and involvement with the youth orchestras in that area.
Tim helped us to launch NYFHE in the difficult year of 2020 when the whole course had to be virtual and via Zoom. In 2022 he is really looking forward to meeting and working with the cream of the UK's young horn talent in person.
From NYFHE 2023
Rusian & Ludmilla Overture, Glinka
From NYFHE 2023
Tico Tico no Fuba, Zequinha de Abreu
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