“Being part of Samyo has made me more confident as a musician, compared to how I felt about myself when I initially started off.”
Samyo Alumni
Membership of Samyo is open to students trained in Indian Classical music (Hindustani or Carnatic) between the ages of 10 and 18, permanently resident in the UK. SABRANG, the choir offshoot of Samyo is open to vocalists between the ages of 14 and 25. Ensemble members are selected on the basis of talent and potential.
How does Samyo work?
Samyo provides an incredible opportunity to engage with other musicians on the same musical journey as you. Together, you’ll have a chance to learn from some of the world’s best musicians, create amazing new music and be a part of a groundbreaking orchestra – the only one of its kind in the world!
As a member of Samyo / Sabrang, you’ll meet several times a year for music ‘retreats’ which can either be over a weekend or a longer stretch during the summer (5-7 days). These retreats will include elements of the following:
- Orchestra workshops – Indian classical music is traditionally played as a soloist or in smaller duos or trios. In these workshops, you’ll learn the unique set of skills and techniques you need to play as part of a larger team of musicians.
- Bootcamp – refine and upgrade your skills in your own instrument or voice with intense ‘bootcamp’ sessions where you’ll work one-to-one with world class musicians.
- Learn unique and original repertoire which has been written and composed especially for Samyo
Other incredible benefits of being a Samyo/Sabrang member:
- musical development within Samyo which works in tandem ongoing training with your music teacher outside of Samyo
- Work with some of the most famous Indian classical musicians in the world! Previous Samyo tutors have included: Bombay Jayashri, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, Patri Satish Kumar, Shashank, Flute J A Jayanth, Ranajit Sengupta, Rajeeb Chakraborty, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Anil Srinivasan, Tarun Bhattacharya, Abhijit Pohankar, Gaurav Mazumdar, H N Bhaskar, R Prathap, R N Prakash, Jyotsna Srikanth, Manorama Prasad, Dharambir Singh and many many more!
- Access to Milap’s soon to be launched online learning platform to supplement and compliment your development within Samyo as well as ongoing training with your music teacher outside of Samyo
- Be part of the only orchestra of its kind in the world!
- Boost your confidence as performer with opportunities to play at top performing arts venues across the country
- Through Samyo, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and engage with other genres of music including jazz, African, Arabic and more.
- Be a part of a highly energetic, challenging and motivating learning environment
- Meet other musicians just like you from across the country and make life-long friends!
What is my commitment as a member?
Membership of Samyo is for a period of 12 months during which time there will be:
- one week long summer residential retreat (in Liverpool)
- 3 mini-retreats ( February, April, October)
- Additional rehearsals as required in the lead up to a major performance
How do I join Samyo?
- Membership is by audition , so you’ll first need to fill out a registration form and apply for an audition place.
- Attend the audition (may be virtual )
- Following a successful audition, you will be invited to join the orchestra. If you are unsuccessful, we can work with you to discuss areas of improvement and together with your parent / guardian / music teacher work out a development plan.
FAQs
How much training do I need to have before joining?
We’ve found over the years that students with at least 3-4 years of continuous formal training in any form of Indian classical music (and who are still in training currently) are able to keep up with the pace of learning and development within the orchestra most comfortably.
Do I need to know either Hindustani or Carnatic?
– Formal training in either one of the Indian classical musical formats (Hindustani/Carnatic) is mandatory