Young Musicians Shine
Over 350 people attended Saturday’s showcase performance by young Highland musicians at the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose. The audience showed their appreciation of the musical treat by giving all four of The Highland Council Regional Music Groups involved cheering applause.
The evening got off to a rousing start when the Highland Youth Pipe Band, accompanied by special guests from 4 Scots (The Highlanders) Pipes and Drums, marched into the hall to The Green Hills of Tyrol. With confidence the young musicians performed a medley of tunes before marching off.
The Highland Youth String Orchestra then took to the stage and under the conductorship of Strings Instructor Rick Lusher, and opened their performance with Bach’s Concerto in A minor featuring solo violinist Eleanor Cameron. They then went on to entertain the audience in a substantial programme playing with extreme flair and ability music composed by Elgar, Grieg and Gliere with Robin Nelson from Fortrose performing solo cello and Erica Sinclair from Thurso High School solo harp.
Before the interval the young drummers from the Pipe Band returned to perform their unique take on “Lord of the Dance” which proved to be very popular with the audience.
The second half of the concert opened with the Highland Youth Pipe Band before the recently formed Regional Gaelic choir, Còisir G, took centre stage for their first public performance. The young boys and girls expertly performed 5 traditional songs under the guidance of their leader, former MOD gold medallist, /elidh Mackenzie. The musical blend was a delight to encounter and their interpretation of the songs was innovative yet sympathetic.
The evening ended with a wide variety of well-arranged sets by ‘snas, the Regional Ceilidh band featuring young musicians playing fiddles, whistles, pipes, guitars and voice.
The whole evening was a chance for the young musicians to show off their talents and the resounding applauses for each group proved that the evening was a big hit for all those who attended.
On Saturday the Highland Schools Wind Band and the Highland Youth Big Band will perform at a sell out concert in Eden Court Theatre.