Meet Haseeb from Sheffield. The young A-Level student plays the trombone in National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and has developed newfound confidence since joining the inclusive group. He is also a member of our inspiring youth board. Here’s his story…

What’s keeping you busy at the moment?

Well I’m studying maths, physics and engineering at A-Level. I’m currently in Year 12, so I’ve just done my mock AS exams. My favourite subject is engineering!

What are your thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic?

I’m looking forward to being able to go out without having to wear a mask all the time. And I'm definitely looking forward to actual NOFA courses!

I think it’s amazing that we've been able to overcome such a barrier but at the same time I would prefer for things to go back to normal. I miss hearing the finished product in an orchestra and the combination of everyone playing together.

‘I’m not the most confident person – but I’ve gained confidence since joining NOFA’, says Haseeb

Have you picked up any new skills during lockdown?

I started driving lessons in October and I do enjoy that, so I guess you could call that a hobby! We’ve been in and out of lockdown though, so it hasn’t been very consistent…

Tell us what you love about music.

I started playing the trombone in Year 5, so I’ve stuck with it for quite a while. I don’t know – I've always enjoyed music whether it be classical or something more modern and contemporary. It’s always appealed to me.

I enjoy playing everything on my instrument but at the moment I’m just trying to improve my sight-reading and my sound.

Meet our musicians at Orchestras for All >

What’s it like being part of an inclusive group like National Orchestra for All?

It’s just something else, isn’t it? You see there are some people who are from other backgrounds, for example myself – I don't know anyone in my family who has actually played an instrument before, so I would consider myself the first person to delve into playing music.

Pictured: Trombonist Haseeb (bottom right) joins his orchestra friends for an inspiring youth board meeting

There’s also the fact that there are people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It's amazing how they have opportunities when they wouldn’t normally. It gives you a different perspective on other people’s lives as well because not everyone’s life is easy.

It’s also helped with my confidence because I know that when I was young I wasn’t very confident – and I'm not the most confident person at the moment but I have gained confidence since joining NOFA.

What advice would you give to other young musicians who are considering joining an orchestra?

Go for it, honestly! What’s the worst that can happen, really? It’s great fun and you pick up loads of new skills in the long-term.

And finally, please complete the following sentence. Orchestras for All is…

Amazing! I don’t know how else to describe it really. It feels like a family of people from all over the UK and not everyone is the same – there’s loads of differences between each member and it’s the fact that we can be part of something bigger together.

To fund a life-changing programme for young musicians like Haseeb, please donate today >

Hi! I’m Harri, I’m 19 and I’m an Ambassador for the National Orchestra for All. I spent four years in the Orchestra, and I play trombone. I currently live near Durham, but spent most of my year at university in Lancaster.

Building on the success of NOFA’s online spring course (find out more here, from trumpeter Kate), Orchestras for All’s Modulo programme - designed for schools - went online as well. The programme provided a well-needed sense of normality for both members and tutors. This gave everyone a boost because it meant each person could see their friends and also meet new people. The Modulo programme was run on Zoom, so everyone could contribute and be seen via video. Each day started with an energetic warm-up from conductor Emma Oliver-Trend, helping everyone get set to to play their instruments properly.

*Emma Oliver-Trend leads an action-packed warm-up session*

Then, like a normal NOFA rehearsal, we were split into groups depending on instruments. In total, there were six different sessions going on simultaneously, ranging from traditional orchestral instruments to kitchen appliances as percussion. The piece being explored was Gospel Train as part of the current season’s topic, Roots. Everyone was wholly engaged in the sessions, whether it be working through the music or talking about their experiences at home during the past few months.

This practice was then taken into a full orchestra rehearsal, where further techniques and advice was given to complete the piece. Later on, each member was tasked with recording their part to the backing track to produce their own version of Gospel Train. Keep an eye out for its premiere performance online in the near future.

As usual, the music did not always take centre stage. Each Modulo member had sent in a short excerpt played on their instrument, and a composer - Daniel Bickerton - had drawn all the parts into one short track. The premiere viewing of this piece was shown within a composition webinar with Daniel. This session was potentially the most interesting and important for everyone because Daniel gave us many tips and tricks to think about when composing. This led to everyone jamming out to the created song, with many compliments to Daniel’s dancing!

As part of his composition webinar, Dan shares his screen to show how the Modulo recordings have been overlaid to create Roots. — *As part of his composition webinar, Dan shares his screen to show how the Modulo recordings have been overlaid to create* Roots.

The final part of the day was left to orchestra games, where everyone got to mix together and relax before heading off to record their parts. I thought this was very useful as recording can be quite stressful and it gave everyone time to see others from their school or their sectionals.

It’s been a difficult time for everyone. Despite the fact that we need to be careful, it’s now incredibly important to have some social interactions with friends. I know I’m guilty of not organising things with anyone, but I’ve realised that there’s no match for human interaction. Stay Safe! :)

‘We can be a part of something bigger together’, explains teenage trombonist and youth board member