The sight of kilted drummers and the skirl of bagpipes isn’t something often associated with sunny Rio De Janerio.
But an appeal has been launched to bring Brazil’s premier pipe band to the Aberdeen International Youth Festival this summer.
Vieira Brum’s Piper, a ten-man band who hail from the poverty-stricken favelas of the capital and perform in full Scottish dress, need £9,000 to travel to the Granite City.
The band was created by a young team of Brazilians as a social project to help youngsters avoid the temptations of drugs, prostitution and gangs by introducing them to Scottish music and culture.
Now, Neil Gordon chief executive of Subsea UK, is leading the drive to bring the band to Scotland.
He said: “There is a strong connection between Brazil and Scotland through the oil and gas industry. We invited the band to perform at Rio Oil and Gas 2016 and the quality and enthusiasm of the musicians blew us and many of the visitors away.
“I have been in contact with friends and business colleagues as well as the Braemar Royal Highland Society, of which I’m a member, to raise their profile and help make their dream a reality. The work these guys do really does get disadvantaged and vulnerable children out of poverty, gangs and drugs.”
Vieira Brum’s drum major, Jhonny Mesquita added: “Visiting Scotland has been a dream of ours for many years, one which we never thought possible.
“The work we do enables us to support local charities, steering these children away from gangs and into music and Scottish culture.”
Those wishing to donate to the cause are asked to visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/neil-gordon or to contact Neil at Subsea UK directly: neil.gordon@subseauk.com
