Young Highland musicians shine on stage

19th March 2013

Photo Gallery

Over 350 young musicians from across the Highlands took centre stage on Sunday 17 March when they entertained audiences throughout the day and evening during a special Concerts Festival held in Eden Court.

The event blasted off at 2.30pm when a Festival Fanfare performed by the Highland Schools Wind Band and the Highland Youth Orchestra received a rousing reception. After both groups performed their sets in the Empire Theatre, it was the turn of the Highland Youth Choir to entertain. They were followed by the traditional music group snas’ and Còisir G, the Gaelic choir before the Highland Youth Big Band took to the stage with great gusto to give a lively performance.

Next on stage was the Highland Youth String Orchestra who handed the baton over to the Highland Youth Pipe Band. The day long musical extravaganza was then brought to an end with a great set performed by the Highlands Schools Wind Band.

The eight Highland Regional Music Groups are organised and run by The Highland Council as an extension to the work of the Instrumental Tuition Service in Highland. Membership for all groups is by invitation after an Audition Day held in May each year. Some of the musicians are also members of national instrumental ensembles.

The musicians taking part on Sunday come from primary and secondary schools throughout the Highlands and range in ages from 10 years up to 18.

Speaking at the end of the event, The Highland Council’s Music Development Officer Norman Bolton was delighted the showcase had gone so well. He said: “It is really quite an achievement for the young people to perform 6 hours of continual music and it highlights the talent, hard work and dedication of the musicians and their tutors. They are a credit to themselves, their families and their schools.”

See the Photo Gallery link above for two larger photos.

Photographer Ewan Weatherspoon
Many photos to see and available for sale at http://www.ewclients.co.uk/concerts17313/