In the first of our 2022 UYO player profiles we meet Andrew Milligan, our Principal Tuba, who is our longest serving current member!

“My name is Andrew Milligan, I am eighteen years old and have been a member of UYO since 2016. This means that UYO 2022 will be my seventh course!

My very first experience with UYO came when I auditioned in the February half-term of 2016. Paula, the General Manager, phoned my mum and explained that the Orchestra needed a tuba player and I had been recommended to her for audition. I was very excited at the unexpected opportunity but also terrified! I had never auditioned for anything at that stage and wasn’t sure what to play; I think it ended up being a Blazhevich study. The nerves were settled hugely when Steve Barnett walked in to take the audition, I had worked with Steve before with the 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band and so a friendly face was much appreciated. All these years later I still enjoy getting to see Steve at audition times, albeit on Zoom recently!

In past years, we have played some fantastic music from Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique to Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite – and that was in one concert alone! In terms of musical satisfaction, I think that summer course of 2017 was my favourite. However, the 25th Anniversary tour in 2018 to Vienna and Bratislava was absolutely fantastic and it was an opportunity I never would have had without being a member of UYO.

As an orchestra’s tuba player there isn’t always that much to do, but when you do get something it’s always good to make it count. Playing for so many different conductors, different tutors and in different sections has been a great joy.

If you are thinking about applying for next year, go ahead and do so when it opens! If you are getting ready for your first course – be sociable, make friends, be ready to learn and enjoy it. You will only get the most out of the course if you put all your effort into it.

Obviously, I have been in UYO for a long time now and have seen lots of different faces come and go but the experiences and enjoyment I have had out of it will last me a lifetime. I am very thankful for the years I have spent with the orchestra and the many wonderful friends I have made along the way.”

Thanks Andrew for sharing your highlights, your advice and giving permission for us to dig out some old photos!