Young Musicians Rehearse For November Showcase Gala

Tomorrow (Saturday 20 September) the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra and the new Highland Youth Pipe Band will be busy rehearsing for a special musical gala showcase in November that will celebrate 20 years of Regional Music Groups in the Highlands.

Two decades ago saw the formation of the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra and whilst this group was the mainstay of provision until recently, there are now six different Regional Instrumental Groups run by The Highland Council as an extension to the work of the Instrumental Tuition Service. 

The Highland Regional Youth Orchestra; Highland Schools Wind Band; Highland Youth Strings Orchestra; Highland Youth Big Band;  ‘Snas ceilidh band and the Highland Youth Pipe Band will all be taking part in the showcasw which takes place on Saturday 15 November in the McDonald Aviemore Highland Resort.
Norman Bolton, The Highland Council’s Music Development Officer said: “Over the last two decades, thousands of young musicians have trained and performed in the Council’s Regional musical groups so this ambitious event in November is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work and effort that all the students and tutors have put in over the years.  We hope that many former members and tutors will take this chance to meet up and enjoy an evening filled with music.  I am sure they will be interested to see and hear how all the groups have developed and diversified over the years.

“Everyone is preparing hard for this big occasion and without giving too much away, I can say the programme for the night will highlight the skill and enthusiasim all the young musicians have.  The gala will also be the debut performance of our recently formed Highland Youth Pipe Band who are especially busy rehearsing some rousing tunes.”

Over 240 primary and secondary aged pupils from all across the Highlands will be taking part.

Chairman of the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie said:  “I have had the priviledge of hearing for myself the music groups playing live and I am always impressed by their ability, confidence and their professionalism which is a credit to them as well as their tutors.  It is because of the dedication and loyalty of these young musicians, their parents and all the staff involved with the Regional Music Groups that they can undertake such an ambitious event as this showcase gala. The evening is the ideal chance for people to enjoy a mixture of live music played to a very high standard, an event not to be missed.”

Tickets for the gala performance can be booked now by contacting Angeline Walker on 01349 868271.  The Council is offering complimentary tickets for all past members of the musical groups and so they should contact Norman Bolton on 01349 863441.