Highland Council Music Groups Tune Up

One hundred and six young musicians from throughout the Highlands will gather this weekend for the first rehearsal of this season’s Highland Regional Youth Orchestra.

The musicians will meet at Inverness High School, on Friday 1st from 6.30 to 9.30pm and Saturday 2nd September from 9.30am to 9pm.

The orchestra members will be rehearsing over the weekend for their first concert of the season which will be in the Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer on Saturday 4th November. They will be rehearsing a variety of orchestral works for the first programme and will also begin work on a newly commissioned piece by John MacLeod.  This new work by MacLeod will be performed in March 2007 as part of a joint concert with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

All 106 members of the orchestra were invited to join after audition.  Most of the members receive tuition from Highland Council’s Instrumental Tutors and many also play in national organisations, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and its associated training groups.

Highland Council’s Music Development Officer Norman Bolton said:  “The opportunity for  members to work with professionals from the BBC is an exciting prospect.  The new piece, ‘Fling’ is for double orchestra and will receive its world premiere in Aviemore, when more than 160 players take to the stage next March.

For further information about the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra contact Norman Bolton, Music Development Officer  on tel: 01349 863441