North Coast Musicians in Practice-A-Thon

9th January 2012

YOUNG NORTH COAST MUSICIANS AND SINGERS TUNE UP FOR PRACTICE-A-THON FUNDRAISER IN AID OF YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS.

Young performers from The Carol-Anne Mackay School of Music in Caithness and North Sutherland will be improving their music skills with a special 'Fortnight of Sponsored Practice' as part of CLIC Sargent's Practice-a-thon fundraising campaign.

Many of the pupils taking part in the event will be performing at a Traditional Ceilidh in Scrabster Village Hall on Saturday 14th January. The 'Fortnight of Sponsored Practise' will begin on the following Monday, 16th January and each child will practice for an agreed period of time each night for two weeks. They hope to raise at least £100 in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people.

The Traditional Ceilidh in Scrabster Village Hall is a chance to showcase these young musicians and if you come along you will hear Bagpipes, Accordions, Whistles and singing from some of the area's finest young performers. Ceilidh Dance music will be provided by the Clachnabrochan Ceilidh Band featuring Carol-Anne Mackay, Karen Steven, Catriona Macleod and many others. The Ceilidh will follow a day of Gaelic conversation and singing classes, which are being held for parents of Children in Croileagan Inbhir Theorsa, Thurso Gaelic Nursery. The Ceilidh is a fundraiser for the Gaelic Nursery and you can pay at the door.

Music tutor, Carol-Anne Mackay said: "I've held 'Practice- a Thon' with pupils in the past and it's not only a great way of raising funds for a really important cause, but also a great way of encouraging the children to practice and establish a good practice routine. Some of the pupils are amazed at how well they can play after two weeks of steady practice!"

Practice-a-thon is a national fundraising campaign for young singers, dancers and musicians, of all abilities. Schools and youth clubs and groups across the UK are encouraged to hold their own sponsored music, dance or singing event and raise money for young cancer patients, and their families. Participants also have the option of keeping 25% of the funds raised.

Emma Bashford, CLIC Sargent Event Fundraising Manager for East of Scotland, said: "We want to say a big thank you to Carol-Anne and her pupils for choosing to take part in Practice-a-thon and we wish them the best of luck for their event. Lack of funds means that CLIC Sargent can only help two out of three children and young people with cancer - that's why your support makes such a difference."

Over the last seven years, 300,000 people have taken part in a Practice-a-thon music, dance or singing event for CLIC Sargent and schools and youth groups and clubs across the UK have raised over £900,000 so far.


For more information about Practice-a-thon, or to register to take part visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon or telephone 0845 120 6340

For more information on the Ceilidh or the Gaelic classes please contact Carol-Anne Mackay on 01847 890243