Record entry for Schools Music Festival

A record number of primary school pupils will take part in this year’s Shetland Schools Music Festival.

The annual event will be held in Mareel next month and more than 300 entries from individuals and groups have been received by organisers.

Committee member Noelle Henderson said: “This year’s festival promises a packed programme and some surprises as well as a variety of fantastic music played by our young people.”

The adjudicator will be Anne Macdonald. She is a violinist and since moving to Scotland has become a member of the first violin section of the Scottish Ballet Orchestra as well as freelancing with the other Scottish National companies.

She has combined playing with teaching and became a Trinity College London examiner in 2010. As well as working across a range of instruments she goes all over the country and beyond including Ireland, Spain and India. Working for Trinity College London has broadened her musical horizon and allowed Anne to indulge in her passion for travel and she is looking forward to coming back to Shetland.

Classes will take place throughout the week and audiences can visit at any time for free and be entertained by the young musicians.
Participants will be given a bronze, silver or gold award depending on the performance.

The cups and prizes which have been donated over the years, including best dialect entry presented from Shetland ForWirds, will be awarded to individuals or groups of particular merit as seen by the adjudicator.

Ms Henderson said the spirit of the festival, though, was to encourage everyone to play and to do their best and have fun.
Competition will be high at the Young Musician of the Year. Both Senior and Junior events will be held on Wednesday 16th March.

The festival is organised by a voluntary committee made up of music staff and head teachers and Ms Henderson added that this year the committee was “very grateful for all donations received and the time and energy put in by the volunteers during the festival”.

Raffle tickets will be on sale along with merchandise throughout the week and donations which ensure the festival can continue year on year will be very welcome.

The week culminates on Thursday 17th March with a gala concert featuring a variety of music and highlights from the week.

Both concerts on Wednesday and Thursday start at 7pm and entry will be by tickets only.