News / Schools music festival record
THE ANNUAL Shetland Schools Music Festival takes place next month, with a new record of more than 300 entries received from individuals and groups from all over the islands.
Events this year take place from 13-16 March at Mareel. The festival alternates between primary and secondary pupils each year, and 2017 is the turn of secondary bairns, with the festival promising “a packed programme and some surprises as well as a variety of fantastic music played by our young people”.
Adjudicator of the festival is again Anne Macdonald, originally a violinist who – since moving to Scotland – has become a member of the first violin section of the Scottish Ballet Orchestra as well as freelancing with other Scottish national companies.
She has combined playing with teaching and became a Trinity College London examiner in 2010. As well as working with a whole range of instruments, she goes all over the country and beyond, including to Ireland, Spain and India.
Festival classes will take place during the day and evening throughout the week, with audiences welcome along at any time free of charge to enjoy the entertainment.
Participants will be given a bronze, silver or gold award depending on the performance on the day, in a spirit of encouraging everyone to play and do their best and have fun.
The festival is organised by a voluntary committee including music staff, and organisers say they are very grateful for all the donations received and the time and energy put in by volunteers during the week.
Raffle tickets will be on sale along with merchandise throughout the week and any donations to help the festival continue year on year will be welcomed.
The senior and junior young musician of the year will be held on Wednesday 15 March at 7pm, with the week culminating 24 hours later with a gala concert featuring a variety of music and highlights of the week. Tickets can be purchased from the Shetland Arts Box Office.
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