Strathpeffer to host National Youth Music Showcase

Some of Scotland’s finest young musicians are about to come together to present an exciting concert, which will display the vibrant and healthy state of the country’s music scene. The 3rd National Showcase of Excellence, being held on Saturday 10 November at Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion, will feature pupils from Aberdeen City Music School, The City of Edinburgh Music School, The Music School of Douglas Academy, East Dunbartonshire, and the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton performing a varied programme of solo and ensemble items of both classical and traditional music will have something to suit everyone’s taste.

The programme will culminate in the young people from all four centres playing together in the première of “The Boat of Mananan”, one of the winning entries in a composition competition sponsored by the four Centres to find a new piece for traditional instruments and orchestra. Lîla Senior, the Forres-based winning composer, will be present, and the piece will be conducted Garry Walker, Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The show will be presented by Mary Ann Kennedy of BBC television and radio.

Dougie Pincock, Director of the Plockton Centre, said, “This is a great opportunity for people in the Highlands to see how these talented youngsters benefit from the specialist tuition they get alongside their mainstream curriculum. It’s also fantastic that this year’s event sees a further progression in the way the Centres collaborate, as this is the first ever performance of a specifically commissioned piece. It’s a good example of the kind of support we want to give to Scotland’s creative community as well as to our own students.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Full price tickets are £10, concessions are £7, and tickets can be booked directly from Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion on 01997 420124 or enquiries@strathpefferpavilion.org, or on line at www.thebooth.co.uk.