Young performers shine on stage
Young musicians and singers from across the whole Highlands received a standing ovation on Saturday after performing the Scottish premiere of a new musical commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund - “One Sun One World.”
As part of the WWF-UK’s 50th anniversary celebrations the environmental charity commissioned a new musical reflecting the issues highlighting its work around the globe. In partnership with The Highland Council and MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resort the first Scottish public performance took place in Aviemore on Saturday. Featuring the Highland Youth Choir, the Highland Regional Orchestra, children from Kingussie High School and Alvie, Aviemore, Gergask, Kingussie and Newtonmore primary schools performed alongside guest soloists and broadcaster Jenny Farish.
Written by Peter Rose and Anne Conlon, the musical featured an array of engaging characters including an old oak tree, Cacao the tree which gave chocolate to the world, a tiger, a panda, a polar bear and a humble rat enjoying a feast on the municipal dump. As the performance unfolds these characters begin to doubt the sustainability of our life but it ends on an upbeat note with a powerful reminder that we really do have the power to change the world.
Speaking at the end of One Sun One World, Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park said: “Everyone involved must feel very proud as I thought the performance was tremendous. There was a very powerful environmental message and this was brought across in a very creative and highly entertaining way. All our talented young people deserve the highest praise in tackling such an ambitious project. They are a credit to themselves, their tutors and their families. I thank everyone involved for all their hard work and it was gratifying to hear the very rousing applause the audience gave. The Council was delighted to collaborate with the WWF in what is their special anniversary year, and we wish them well in their work to celebrate and highlight across the globe the the amazing planet we share.”
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland added: “Peter and Anne have provided us with a new and inspirational composition and it was wonderful to see and hear the young very talented performers bring alive the richness of the music and the words. Our work on education aims to inspire everyone to protect the natural world so that people and nature thrive – and to give them the knowledge and skills to make a difference. One Sun One World will now go on to reach new audiences with a message of hope about the future of our natural world and humanity’s place within it.”
Directly after the premiere the Highland Youth Pipe Band, the Highland Schools Wind Band and the Highland Youth String Orchestra performed a concert and this was followed by a third and final concert of the day featuring Coisir G, the Highland Youth Big Band and the ceilidh band, `snas. In total just over 300 young performers took part in the day of music.