Young Highland Musicians Prepare For Eden Court Showcase Concert

Over 200 young musicians, representing 12 of The Highland Council’s secondary schools, are putting the finishing touches to their performances for the forthcoming Highland Futures showcase in Eden Court’s Empire Theatre on Wednesday 30th January.

This event (known as Rhythms of the North prior to the theatres refurbishment) allows the participants to showcase the diversity and quality of music-making within Highland schools. 

The Highland Council’s Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton, coordinator of the event, said: “There is such a breadth of musical experience within our education system and Highland schools continue to produce some amazing quality.  Highland Futures will be a packed but enjoyable programme which is sure to send the audience home with a renewed sense of pride in the young people involved.  For many, it will be their first opportunity to perform in a professional venue.  Allowing this kind of access to the facilities of Scotland’s largest arts venue puts quite a lot of pressure on the performers, and staff, but seldom do they disappoint!”

The programme will involve performances from:

Invergordon Academy (Shortbreed) ; Ullapool High School; Fortrose Academy Orchestra;  Kinlochleven High School; Lochaber High Schools Wind Band; the Plockton Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music; Nairn Academy Samba Band; (Blaze) from Golspie High School; Tain Royal Academy (Gizzen Briggs); Charleston Academy (Piping Hot); the Culloden Academy Ceilidh Band; Ardnamurchan High School (Sonas)
 
Tickets for the concert are available now through Eden Court’s Box office on 01463 234234.

Over the coming weeks the Highland Schools Wind Band, the Highland Youth String Orchestra and the Highland Youth Big Band will all be busy rehearsing for public performances later in the year.  These popular performances provide the young musicians with a chance to show off their musical skills in-front of live audiences. 

Secondary school rock bands are also preparing for the Rock Solid event which takes place in Eden Court in March.  Also in Eden Court in June will be a special event involving Scottish Opera and Highland primary schools.

Full details of all the events and concerts will be published in the local press and on The Highland Council’s website.