Highland Youth Big Band First CD

30th April 2008

`Born to be Wild', `Route 66', `Little Brown Jug', `Summertime', `Family Guy' and `Respect' are just some of the tracks on a CD recorded by talented young school musicians from across the Highlands who make up the Highland Youth Big Band.

Highland Youth Big Band is one of the five Regional Music Groups run as an extension to the tuition provided by The Highland Council's Instrumental Tuition Service. Its members are drawn from all corners of Highland and have been chosen after audition. This is only the Band's third year of existence and they have already made a spectacular impact on the musical life of the Highland's at their previous public performances in Inverness, Aviemore, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, and Kristianstad in Sweden.

The idea for the CD came from The Highland Council's Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton, who said: "Since its conception, HYBB has proved to be an extremely vibrant group who have set and achieved very high musical standards and continue to go from strength to strength. Membership of the group varies from year to year as pupils leave school. This 'problem' in many ways makes each year's group more vibrant and fresh."

"Due to the diverse nature of Highland geography, it is difficult to meet for regular rehearsal sessions. It is, therefore, a credit to the commitment of these young musicians that they are prepared to travel, usually to Inverness, for residential weekend rehearsals throughout the year. These meetings are intense and tiring but the Band has already become a very close-knit group and they look forward to rehearsals and performances."

Copies of the CD (£10 inc p&p) are available by contacting Angeline Walker on 01349 868271.

The band took part in a concert live at the Showcase Concert in The Averon Centre, Alness on Saturday 26th April. This concert will also involved performances from Highland Schools Wind Band; Highland Youth String Orchestra and the Regional Ceilidh band 'snas. All these groups are supported by The Highland Council and The Friends of Highland Young Musicians.