Highland Big Band Sweden-bound.

Seventeen members of the Highland Big Band set off from Inverness train station yesterday bound for a five day International Youth Festival in Kristianstad, Sweden.

As part of Highland 2007, the musicians, who make up the ‘Highland Big Band’ travelled from Inverness to Dyce in order to take part in the festival at Sweden.

As the official public transport operator for Highland 2007 and a main sponsor, First ScotRail provided complimentary train travel for the band between Inverness and Dyce. In addition, they arranged a van to transport all the instruments to the venue, allowing the musicians to get to Dyce in comfort.

Theresa Gault, Sponsorship and Events Manager at First ScotRail, said: “We’re delighted to be able to assist the Highland Big Band with their travels for what sounds like will be a fantastic three day event.”

Norman Bolton, Highland Council’s Music Development Officer said:  “This is an exciting opportunity for Highland Youth Big Band to make their mark on the international music scene and we are very grateful to First ScotRail for ensuring that the first part of their journey will get off to a great start.”

The 17 pupils on the Big Band trip are:

• Joe Paterson (Guitar) Thurso High School.
• Duncan Bolton (Percussion) and Tomas Leakey (Trombone) Charleston Academy; Callum Murdoch (Alto Sax) and Jon Wallace (Tenor Sax) Glen Urquhart High School; Donald Slater (Trumpet) Culloden Academy; and Evangeline Stevenson (Trumpet) Inverness Royal Academy, Inverness.
• Melanie Jayne Cottam (Tenor Sax) and Samantha Jenkins (Trumpet) Lochaber High;
• Hazel Brown (Percussion); Jack Ledsham (Trumpet), and Matthew West (Piano) Nairn Academy;
• Alistair Greig (Bass Guitar) Fortrose Academy, Alister More (Trombone), Joe Stainke (Trombone), and Robert Thompson (Alto Sax) Tain Royal Academy
• John Siwek (Trumpet) Portree High School.
 
Tutors in attendance are Rob Farmer, Dougie Galbraith, Wendy Ritchie, and Rachel Snow.