Some of the north-east’s most talented young musicians will be hitting the high notes when they get together for a special concert in Aberdeen.
The Grampian Youth Orchestra will be performing some of the most famous classical pieces in the repertoire during an ambitious programme at St Andrews Cathedral on June 18.
Conducted by Jonathan Hargreaves and led by main soloist Amy Birse, 19, the 74-strong orchestra will deliver performances of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Prelude, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5 in E minor.
The group, made up of musicians between the ages of 12 and 22 who play at Grade 7/8 level, will start their preparations on Thursday, June 15, rehearsing every day ahead of the big show.
Scott Matheson, orchestral manager, said: “It is an ambitious but very exciting programme. It should be a lot of fun.
“Our soloist Amy is very active in the music scene in Scotland and plays a lot of concerts with different orchestras.
“It’s fitting that she should be the soloist, after she previously performed with us as a violinist. There aren’t many tickets left, only around 40, so if people want to come, I’d advise them to get in quick.”
Miss Birse, a talented violinist and pianist as well as a vocalist, earned the opportunity to sing lead after winning the orchestra’s inaugural Concerto competition.
She will be heading to London to study for a four-year music degree in September, and is looking forward to playing in front of her family and friends in a packed cathedral.
She said: “I was really pleased to win. There were a lot of people that applied and two auditions, then it went down to five people before I was chosen. It’s nice to win in its first year.
“I’m really excited about the concert. I’ve got family travelling from all over Scotland for it. It’s my dream to play around the world.”
Tickets for the concert cost £12 for adults, £10 for concessions. Doors open at 7.30pm. To book, email grampianyouthorchestra@hotmail.com
