North Penn Grad, Violinist Travels And Plays Throughout The World

Lansdale, PA – While many high school graduates choose to spend their final summer before college soaking up every last bit of their hometown possible, North Penn High School (NPHS) Class of 2016 graduate Neil Goh will be doing quite the opposite this summer, the district said in news release.

For the second summer in a row, Neil will spend June and July training, traveling and performing with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) in Philadelphia, New York and throughout Europe.

This summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together 187 of the best young musicians from across the country for a season of extraordinary music-making. The acclaimed NYO-USA, now in its fourth year, features 109 musicians ages 16-19, the district said.

This summer, they are joined by 78 of their peers who are members of NYO2, a new program for ages 14-17, created with a particular focus on attracting talented students from communities underserved by and underrepresented in the classical orchestral field, according to North Penn.

In total, the musicians of NYO-USA and NYO2 come from 41 US states plus Puerto Rico. Both programs are free to all participants.

Neil was selected to be a part of this prestigious group among a large number of applicants nationwide. The comprehensive application process required him to submit a detailed, three-part application, North Penn said.

The application included a biographical essay, professional recommendations and a series of audition videos including an introduction, solo piece, assigned audition excerpts and a video essay. Applications were reviewed based on the applicant's technical ability, musicianship, passion, willingness to collaborate, intellectual curiosity, willingness to travel and social and emotional maturity.

The North Penn School District (NPSD) is extremely pleased to recognize Neil Goh for being selected to perform in the violin section as one of 109 musicians in the NYO-USA. This June and July, these remarkable teenagers will embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world, serving as America’s dynamic music ambassadors.

Each program will begin with an intensive training residency on the campus of Purchase College, State University of New York, with NYO2 students arriving on June 18 and NYO-USA participants joining them one week later on June 25. While in residence at Purchase College, the young players will study with professional musicians from many of the country’s leading orchestras, according to the news release.

The members of the 2016 NYO-USA—ages 16-19, hailing from 33 US states—have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest players in the country, following a comprehensive national audition process, the district said.

This summer’s roster will feature 38 returning musicians from previous seasons. NPHS’s Neil Goh is among these veterans.

In 2015, Goh traveled to Iceland, China, and Carnegie Hall to showcase his talents.

Following its own training residency at Purchase College, NYO-USA will embark on a six-concert tour from July 13 through 25. This year, NYO-USA will prepare two programs, first performing music by Mozart and Bruckner with conductor Christoph Eschenbach and pianist Emanuel Ax at The Performing Arts Center in Purchase, NY on Wednesday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. and at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m., according to North Penn.

Following the New York appearances, the schedule shows that NYO-USA will fly to Europe, joining Mr. Gergiev and pianist Denis Matsuev for a tour of some of the continent’s music capitals, including performances at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Holland (July 21), part of Robeco SummerNights at the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam; the Opéra Berlioz in Montpellier, France (July 22), part of the Radio France Festival; Tivoli Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark (July 24), part of the Tivoli Festival; and Smetana Hall in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic (July 25).

NYO-USA’s touring activities will allow America’s finest young musicians to share their artistry with American and European audiences while also experiencing the richness of European culture and music. As part of their travel schedule, NYO-USA players will have the opportunity to tour cities, interact with local young musicians and participate in informal community performances, according to the news release.

In addition, NYO-USA musicians will join their peers in NYO2 for a weekend of activities in Philadelphia this upcoming weekend from July 2 to 4, the district said.

“In my 10 years at North Penn High School, we have never had a student achieve this level of musical accomplishment. Needless to say, I’m incredibly proud of Neil,” said NPHS Orchestra Director, Erica Milbourne.