At the start of November, we performed "The Volcano" at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall. The performance tells the story of an erupting volcano - from lava and surging to eruption and ash! We checked in with some of our Young Creatives after the show to get their thoughts on the performance.
What was your favourite moment of being part of the volcano performance?
Moustapha : My favourite moment of the performance was playing “Trio Per Uno” with Joe, Elsa and Deliah. It was an unforgettable moment because it was the hardest piece of music that I had ever done. Thanks to amazing sessions from Elsa I was well prepared and it was a lot of fun performing it in front of people.
Nathaniel: My favourite moment of being part of The Volcano performance was doing our intro performances, where we interacted with the audience. It was very fun introducing the show through an interactive manner.
Angel: My favourite part of the performance was watching the the percussionists play complicated rhythms. It was very satisfying to listen to and watch. Another favourite was the introduction with the singing. Easy to sing , sounds nice when broken into parts.
What does the journey or the Volcano represent in your life?
Angel: I think it represents lots of things actually. Just like after an eruption where the volcano finally calms. It waits for the pressure to build strong enough, to the point where It bursts and erupts. Where it would wait again, Like a cycle. Just like life.
We could be in the worst of things and it would get to the point where you think "it could not get any worse" and it does...so when it fizzles out and life is less hectic and less stressful something would come along. Just like a Volcano. In my case a constant cycle in my life would be college drama - lots of she said he said XYZ - but it could also represent a brighter beginning at something bad but also a good thing coming to an end.
Nathaniel: In my life, The Volcano represents my journey of discovery - finding, accepting and embracing myself for who I am.
Moustapha: The Volcano in my life represents another stepping stone in order to get better at percussion. Furthermore, it also showed me that I really can improve my percussion with consistency and discipline.
How did you help develop the performance?
Nathaniel: I developed the performance by adding harmonies whilst performing in the Choir and playing along with the percussion ensemble.
What was your proudest moment in the volcano performance?
Nathaniel: My proudest moment of The Volcano experience was leading the children during the polyrhythmic section of the performance. I was very nervous before I led the Choir but I’m happy that I mustered the courage to do it!
Moustapha: My proudest moment would have to be playing with the professionals. This was something that I could never imagine would happen and it was an honour to play with them at their level. It taught me that there was a huge gap between our levels and that I would need to practice a lot to be a whole lot better than them.
Angel: Although I did not have a leading role in the performance, I was particularly proud of myself when I volunteered to lead the introduction shows (the little performances put on before the show). as somebody who hates talking to big crowds I was even more proud when I was thanked by the Audiences saying; " I had fun", or the kids smiling as they left. I felt as though I did a good job. Although it could not convince me to take another leading role, I had fun as well.
Our next show is fast approaching.
Awake! comes to the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday 3rd December.
This is the chance to experience the orchestra up close with all the musicians in the orchestra coming together for an uplifting performance.
This summer, we performed Awake! at the at the Bold Tendencies car park. Now we bring it to the grand stage at the Southbank Centre, so come along and see the incredible young people and musicians come together and put on a spectacle for all to enjoy.
