An Aberdeen pupil’s musical ode to the Granite City has won a competition to celebrate the upcoming reopening of Union Street’s historic Music Hall.
Daisy MacCallum, 13, wrote her poem ‘Aberdeen is My Home’ as part of a contest organised by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
The Aberdeen Grammar pupil’s lyrics will now be set to music by renowned Scottish composer Katy Cooper and the finished piece performed by an 80-strong choir in the newly refurbished Music Hall when it opens its doors this winter.
Work to renovate the A-listed building, at a cost of £8.7 million, started in 2016.
Jane Spiers, chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, was one of the members of the judging panel.
She said: “The standard of entries from the local school pupils really was outstanding and it was very difficult to narrow it down and choose a winner but Daisy’s lyrics are so full of heart and really beautiful.
“This initiative really embodies the spirit of the Music Hall. It’s a collaborative effort between established musical professionals and budding local talent and it allows us a unique opportunity to really celebrate the city that has given so much support to the Music Hall.”
His Majesty’s Theatre panto star Alan McHugh was also on the judging panel and said: “The quality of writing from these kids is exceptional and I know it’s a cliché, but it really was so hard to narrow it down.
“I’d like to commend them all on their efforts.”
Daisy MacCallum’s ode
Verse 1:
I entered the city it all felt new
I had no idea what to say or to do
Then faces are welcoming, people stop to talk
An ice cream in my hand, by the sea I walk
Chorus:
Musical sounds meet the ears
It’s the granite city
Rain falls like watery tears
It’s the granite city
Ice cream at the beach to eat
It’s the granite city
So many kind people to meet
It’s the granite city
It’s the granite city
Verse 2:
Many plants and flowers to see
It’s all so beautiful to me
The butteries made me glow with glee
So many great sights to see
Chorus:
Musical sounds meet the ears
It’s the granite city
Rain falls like watery tears
It’s the granite city
These butteries are hard to beat
It’s the granite city
So many kind people to meet
It’s the granite city
It’s the granite city
Verse 3:
Weather so cold but here’s still warm
Even when running through a storm
So many places I have been
But my home is Aberdeen.
