March Is "Music Month" For Highland Musicians

8th March 2007

March is going to be a busy month as the talented young musicians in three of The Highland Council's Regional Music Groups prepare for public performances, one of which will feature a world premier of a score written to celebrate Highland 2007.

On Saturday 17 March the Highland Schools Wind Band and the Highland Youth String Orchestra will be performing a concert at the Spa Pavilion in Strathpeffer. The members of these ensembles, like all the Regional Music Groups, are chosen after audition so the programme promises to be challenging and quite ambitious to reflect the high standards of musicianship. A wide variety of musical styles will be included so the concert promises to provide something for all tastes. Tickets for this event are already in high demand and should be booked in advance by contacting 01349 868271.

Meanwhile the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra has just completed preparations for its concert with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Aviemore Highland Resorts Osprey Arena on Saturday 24th March. This event will be unique in many ways. Firstly, 180 musicians under the baton of American conductor Clark Rundell will be a spectacle never witnessed in the Highlands before. The programme will feature the world premier of "FLING!", a high-spirited score written to celebrate Highland 2007 by Scottish composer John McLeod. Also featured will be works by Shostakovitch, Chabrier, Copland and Holst & Sibelius. The whole concert will be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Full details of this event and ticket booking information can be found on the Highland 2007 website.

The Highland Council's Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton said: "It is a testament to the dedication and loyalty of the musicians, their parents and the staff involved with the Regional Music Groups that we can undertake such ambitious events. Members travel from all over Highland to rehearsals, giving up weekends to ensure that we produce high standards. Providing a quality musical experience for our young people is at the heart of the Instrumental Tuition Scheme and the Regional Music Groups provide an extra incentive and focus for the efforts and commitment of many of our young musicians."

Also during March one hundred young cellists and bassists from the length and breadth of the Highlands will gather in Inverness on Wednesday (21 March) for a day of workshops and masterclasses before playing en-masse in a grand finale concert.

Finally, bookings are already being made for a Supper Dance at the Spa Pavillion in Strathpeffer on Saturday 21 April featuring the Highland Youth Big Band and the Regional Ceilidh Band, 'snas. The performance will be a combination of classic swing styles and traditional ceilidh dances. Places are limited so people are being advised to book early to avoid disappointment by telephoning the box office on 01349 868271.