Council Conducts Weekend of Music
Around 250 young Highland musicians will meet in Inverness this weekend (Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd June) to take part in selection events for the regional instrumental groups run by The Highland Council’s Instrumental Tuition Service.
The new Regional Ceilidh Band applicants will meet in Charleston Academy on Friday evening to participate in a group session and to play their instruments to a panel of tutors who will make selections for members of the new group.
The same venue will see over 200 musicians play together in an orchestral day on Saturday 3rd when auditions for the Highland Schools Wind Band, Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, Highland Youth Big Band and Highland Schools String Orchestra will take place.
Norman Bolton, Highland Council’s Music Development Officer, who will be leading the Saturday event said: "There is an incredible amount of talent among the thousands of pupils who receive Instrumental Tuition in Highland Schools. Selection day is always a pleasure to lead and just being among other musicians in this kind of fun environment can be of great benefit to the young people – especially those from smaller schools who may seldom get the opportunity to play in large group situations."
While the majority of applicants for the five groups receive tuition from Highland Council Instrumental Tutors, there are also quite a number who receive private tuition.
The Groups rehearsal calendar for next session is mostly in place and a number of concerts are scheduled throughout the session. One of the more high profile events will be the joint project with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra which will see the professional orchestra join Highland Regional Youth Orchestra to perform the world premiere of a newly commissioned piece by John MacLeod for double orchestra. This is scheduled for Aviemore in March 2007 as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations.
Further information about the selection days or any of the groups can be obtained from Norman Bolton on tel: 01349 863441.