Matty Angus was at school when he learned he had been accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO).
“I opened my acceptance letter in the middle of my physics class and was completely shocked,” said the 16-year-old clarinetist, who lives in Oak Bay. “I felt incredibly honoured and grateful for the opportunity and everything that comes with it.”
Founded in 1960, the NYO's highly competitive program – open to 16- to 28-year-old instrumentalists – works to prepare Canada’s best young classical musicians for careers in professional orchestras.
Only 80 to 90 of the whopping 500 people the NYO auditions each year make the cut. Successful musicians receive three to four weeks of training, then tour Canada for an additional two weeks. This year, the group will perform shows in Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria from July 18 to Aug. 3.
"I'm beyond excited," said Angus. "Being part of a community of dedicated and talented musicians for nearly the entire summer is something I’m truly looking forward to."
The St. Michaels University student, who enjoys playing video games and soccer in his spare time, picked up the clarinet during the pandemic, while many were learning to make sourdough or cut their own hair. He took to the instrument quickly and soon snagged recognition for his newfound skills.
In 2022, for example, Angus earned himself a spot in the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. Two years later, he was one of six finalists at the 2024 International Clarinet Association Competition in Ireland, becoming the first Canadian ever to reach the finals, where he placed third globally.
Though natural talent is a big part of Angus' recent success, hard work is what got him there. He explained that he practised “the clarinet’s most challenging excerpts” for days before his NYO audition.
“While my friends were studying for semester finals, I spent every day in my school’s music building, recording nonstop until midnight,” he said. “I knew the progress I’d make by focusing on the finer details of such a demanding set of excerpts would be invaluable.”
Despite his efforts, Angus simply looked at his audition as a way to bolster his skills, not as a key into the youth orchestra.
“It’s ... well known that the NYO rarely accepts high school students into the woodwinds section, largely due to how challenging it is to start early on wind instruments,” he said. “Knowing that, I approached the audition expecting it to be more of a learning experience than a successful one.”
That’s why he was shocked when he found out he had been accepted – a feeling that quickly turned to excitement. Now he can't wait to hit the open road and meet new people along the way.
“I’m ... excited to travel around Canada with new friends who share my passion for music and to visit places like Toronto, which I’ve wanted to see my whole life,” he said.
As for Angus' future, he explained he's "still exploring all possibilities." That includes going to university, where he would pursue a combined major that includes clarinet.
"This would allow me to keep the clarinet as a lifelong passion," he said. "Regardless of the career path I ultimately choose, I’m confident that the mindset, skills and experiences I’ve gained through learning the clarinet and competing – earning over two dozen wins so far – will continue to guide me."
