University News Last updated 10 April
Student Oscar Abbott (left) will perform the world premiere of Liam Taylor-West’s piano concerto Ring Out! with the National Open Youth Orchestra, the world’s first disabled-led national youth ensemble.
First-year private study student Oscar Abbott, who studies the piano with Visiting Tutor Jan Loeffler, will be performing with the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO), the world’s first disabled-led national youth ensemble.
NOYO, which is formed of disabled and non-disabled musicians aged 11-25, will present a new programme of contemporary classical music including two world premieres.
The pioneering ensemble of 16 musicians will tour Ring Out! No More Barriers, Just Great Music, featuring Oscar performing the world premiere of piano concerto Ring Out! composed by Ivors Academy Award winner Liam Taylor-West.
In partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama, NOYO will be performing in London on Sunday 27 April before continuing its tour in Poole, Cardiff and Birmingham. The ensemble will give a relaxed performance at Milton Court Concert Hall, London, welcoming a diverse audience – inclusive of disabled and neurodivergent concert-goers and families.
The programme will also encompass British Sign Language-interpreted performances, and the world premiere of Fragile by RBC alumnus Yfat Soul Zisso. This 10-minute composition focuses on climate change.
All pieces in the programme have been composed or re-arranged specifically to showcase NOYO’s instrumentation, which combines traditional acoustic instruments with electronic instruments rarely found in orchestras, such as the bass guitar, and cutting-edge electronic instruments, such as the Clarion, which can be played with any movement of the body.
Oscar was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and was educated through the special needs system. He has always been fascinated by music and began learning piano and percussion from the age of five.
Oscar said: “I joined the National Open Youth Orchestra in 2019. We play new pieces and arrangements. After lockdown, I played in my first NOYO tour. We had concerts in London, Bristol, Poole and in the Town Hall, Birmingham. I really enjoy playing with them.”
Jan Loeffler added: “It’s been a joy and an eye-opening experience to work with Oscar, while also having the support of his dedicated mother, Jayne. The two together are an indomitable tour-de-force. To witness a student like Oscar experiencing, and contributing to, meaningful interactions with fellow youngsters, all working towards a common goal, is humbling. It just goes to show what’s possible if we all work together as a community, supporting each other, utilising each other’s strengths whilst overcoming obstacles. Oscar has my unwavering support and I’m mightily proud of his achievements. I look forward to the years ahead of our continued collaboration.”
Composer Liam Taylor-West says: “The composition features Oscar prominently, opening the piece with loud, bold piano chords left to sound in their entirety, like bells being rung out from hilltops, passing signals from one place to another.
“I can’t wait to hear NOYO musicians sharing their interpretation of this story emerging between the bell chords.”
Book now for Birmingham Town Hall – Sunday 8 June 2025, 3-4pm
Pictured: (left) Oscar Abbott