Strike up the band many miles from home
Published: 04/08/2010
A CONCERT band from Israel performed thousands of miles from home yesterday at Aberdeen International Youth Festival.
The 48 members of Zichron Ya’akov Concert Band treated the audience at Haddo House, Methlick, to a range of music, including tunes from movie soundtracks and classics.
The youth band applied to take part in the festival following a recommendation from another Israeli outfit who attended the event in 2005.
Conductor Shili Kahana said everyone had enjoyed themselves.
“We are very happy here. We have met groups from many other cultures and exchanged flags. It has been a really amazing experience,” she said.
Band member Aviel Astanovsky, 18, added: “We are playing five concerts while we are here and still have two left – the next is at the Beach Ballroom on Thursday.”
Irish pianist Sophie Cashell, who won the BBC2 classical star programme in 2007, will perform as part of the festival tonight at Kemnay Church centre at 7.30pm.
Visit www.aiyf-listings .org.uk for details of upcoming events. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 or online at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com