Live classical music experience for Scotland’s under-twos

Starcatchers and Scotland’s National Orchestra tour a theatrical live music experience for little ones aged 0-24 months.

Starcatchers, an organisation which specialises in performances and creativity for babies, toddlers and young children, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) have devised a new classical music experience for babies under 24 months. Co-created by Starcatchers Associate Artist Hazel Darwin-Edwards and Musician and Composer Abigail Sinar, Hup combines live classical music, with a heart warming storyline in a performance for babies, toddlers and their carers.

In this new theatrical performance a trio of musicians will perform an original score composed by Abigail Sinar, intertwined with a non-verbal narrative presented by Hazel Darwin-Edwards, which will take the audience on a journey in pursuit of the story’s lead character, a very inquisitive raccoon.


The setting for the music-led story is a forest (designed by Theatre Designer Karen Tennent) with the audience seated on set, drawing them into the story and breaking away from traditional ways of enjoying both theatre and classical music.

“From the moment we walked in there was a sense of calm. We loved how the children could get close to the musicians and feel the connection with the music.” 

Nursery practitioner


The concept for Hup was inspired by the delivery of the Arts and Business Scotland People Award-winning Nickum residency project, piloted by Starcatchers and the RSNO in 2013/14 and supported by TOTAL E&P UK Limited and Vibrant Aberdeen.



During the Nickum project, Hazel and Abigail worked in two childcare settings in Aberdeen for six months, with babies aged 0-24 months. Through this process they simultaneously developed a classical score and a new play for babies. The original work toured nurseries in Aberdeen in 2013/14.

With funding secured from Creative Scotland in 2014, the original work was developed, with fresh input from established director Xana Marwick and learning taken from the initial mini-tour.

The original music, composed by Abigail Sinar and recorded by the RSNO, will be given to audience members as a free memento.


Starcatchers’ Chief Executive Rhona Matheson said: “Starcatchers’ work is focused on producing high quality arts experiences for the very young. Research proves that engaging in creative activity such as drama and music in the first few years of life helps significantly in a child’s mental and social development, so we are delighted to be working with the RSNO on this unique project. This could be a baby’s first experience of live theatre, music and creativity and we are committed to it being a positive one.”


RSNO Director of Learning and Engagement Jenn Adams: “In October 2012 the RSNO launched its initiative to provide every child born in Scotland with a recording of music, Astar, to help them learn, rest and play. This was the first step in our goal to engage with the very youngest of audiences. Furthermore, we have been committed to provide increased access to our musicians for young audience members and their families and guardians, and since last year have partnered with experts in the field, Starcatchers, to devise a tailor-made programme for those aged between 0-24 months, Hup. Piloted in Aberdeen in March last year, we are delighted to be announcing the roll-out of Hup to many areas across Scotland. We are looking forward to welcoming our eager young music-lovers to one of our performances over the coming months.”



Tour dates & venues

29 - 30 April

Platform, Glasgow

www.platform-online.co.uk



2 May

Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk

www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org



9 May

Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

www.eastgatearts.com



10 May

Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling

www.macrobert.org



12 - 16 May

Imaginate Festival @ North Edinburgh Arts

www.imaginate.org.uk



22 - 23 May

The Brunton, Musselburgh

www.thebrunton.co.uk



30 - 31 May

The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com



5 June

Comar, Isle of Mull

www.comar.co.uk



12 June

Carnegie Hall, Fife

www.onfife.com



13 June

Adam Smith, Fife

www.onfife.com



27 June

Perth Concert Hall, Perth

www.horsecross.co.uk



3 July

Rutherglen Town Hall, South Lanarkshire

www.sllcboxoffice.co.uk



4 July

Lanark Memorial Hall, South Lanarkshire

www.sllcboxoffice.co.uk





Starcatchers

Starcatchers is a pioneering organisation that specialises in performances and creativity for babies, toddlers and young children aged 0-5 and their parents and carers in Scotland.

We believe that Scotland’s youngest citizens should be able to engage with, and participate in, high quality performances and creative experiences that are made by exceptional artists who understand the needs of this unique audience.

As a young, dynamic organisation, we strive to put the needs of babies, toddlers and young children at the core of everything we do, while engaging with the parents, carers, families, early years’ professionals and communities who nurture them.

www.starcatchers.org.uk



RSNO

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is one of Europe's leading symphony orchestras. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company became the Scottish National Orchestra in 1950, and was awarded Royal Patronage in 1991. Throughout its proud history, the Orchestra has played an important part in Scotland's musical life, including performing at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament building in 2004. The RSNO is one of Scotland's National Performing Companies, supported by the Scottish Government. For more information, please see www.rsno.org.uk.



Biographies



Abigail Sinar Co-Creator/Composer

Abi is a freelance Community Music Practitioner and educator. She has worked for Drake Music Scotland, delivering music projects for people with additional support needs, and on various education projects for young people across Scotland. Abi is particularly interested in finding ways to make musical experiences accessible to everyone.



Hazel Darwin-Edwards Co-Creator

Hazel is a performer and puppeteer who has recently been working on the Nickum project for Starcatchers in Aberdeen. Previous performances with Starcatchers include Too Many Cooks, the Forgotten Forest, the Attic and Round in Circles. She has worked as an actor, devisor and workshop leader with companies including Catherine Wheels, Visible Fictions and NTS.



Elizabeth Lloyd Musician

Elizabeth Lloyd has been a member of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for the last 20 years. Her musical career includes playing a wide variety of music from Classical Orchestral to Jazz, Baroque to Contemporary.


Elizabeth likes the diversification playing in an orchestra affords and is keenly involved with the Education department working in schools and community centres all over Scotland to bring music to everyone, young and old.



George Smith Musician

George began learning to play the violin at the age of ten. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with William Chandler and Ruth Crouch. During his studies George played in masterclasses with Midori, Christian Tetzlaff, Daniel Rowland, Ilya Gringolts, Barnabas Keleman and Katalin Kokas.



George has performed across the UK and further afield as a chamber musician, soloist and Scots fiddle player. He won several major Scottish competitions, and took part in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician. Notable solo performances include a Vivaldi Concerto performance with Camerata Scotland at the Scottish Parliament, and James MacMillan's ‘From Ayrshire’ for Solo Violin and Orchestra under the baton of the composer.



George formed the Maxwell Quartet in 2010, and has since performed across the UK with the group in addition to working with composers including Anna Meredith, Sam Annand and Tom Harrold. Notable performances include Purcell Rooms, St Martin in the Fields and The Wigmore Hall in 2016. George freelances with Scottish orchestras including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Paragon Ensemble. He also plays in a String trio who perform as part of Live Music now. George regularly works with non-classical musicians, collaborating with artists including Poacher & Ghillie, Samoyed, and Architeq.



Andrew Huggan Musician

Glasgow born ‘cellist Andrew Huggan, began his musical career at the age of nine under the tuition of Angela Welsh. After studying with Angela for several years Andrew gained a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Junior department, under the tutelage of Timothy Paxton. Andrew continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD) gaining his BMus (hons) with Rudi De Groote, and baroque cello under Alison McGillivray.



Since leaving the RCS Andrew has performed with the Scottish Philharmonic and Scottish Concert Orchestras, British Philharmonic orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Celtic Connections and in 2010/11 was awarded an apprenticeship with Scottish Opera, whom he now plays with on a regular basis. His love of opera has also seen him tour with new opera companies such as Noise Opera and Opera Bohemia. As a Baroque player he has also had the opportunity to play with the Dunedin Consort, St Patrick’s Baroque Ensemble and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s Club Concerts. As an enthusiast of contemporary music Andrew has also performed for The Glasgow New Music Expedition as well as playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the last five years for Musical Theatre productions new and old. In 2010/11 Andrew played for the Citizens Theatres’ Christmas production, performing original music by Bafta nominated composer Claire McKenzie, whom he works with on a regular basis. His work in the theatre also includes recordings for The National Theatre of Scotland and for renowned dancer and choreographer Marc Brew.



Xana Marwick Director

Xana Marwick is a Performance Maker who generally leads on the authorship or creation of original work in the role of Director, Playwright or Live Artist. Xana also performs, directs, produces and works in a creative learning role for a number of other artists and organisations. Xana’s practice is intentionally diverse but a clear through-line can be seen in the focus on social engagement and work for, by or about children and young people.



Currently Xana is working as: Director for Starcatchers / RSNO co-production Hup and as Director for Lyceum Summer on Stage 2015, directing Douglas Maxwell’s Mancub.



Xana’s most recent projects include: Playwright with Birdsnest theatre co. (London / Netherlands) on their touring production for 3-6 year olds My Friend Mole (‘well modulated, perpetually in motion, theatrical playdate for the very young’The Stage) Creator / Director of Yellow Valley with Starcatchers for Culture 2014 (‘a vivid tapestry of sounds and rhythms’ The Herald) Artist in Residence at Summerhall (Edinburgh) where Xana wrote new play NESTS (mentored by Douglas Maxwell) which is soon to go into further production with Frozen Charlotte Theatre co; Associate Artist at Platform Glasgow which included writing, directing and designing Hansel and Gretel (‘Magical and truly un-patronising update of the Grimm’s Brother’s classic.’- The List).



Karen Tennent Designer

Karen is a highly experienced designer who has worked with a wide range of artists and theatre companies during her career. She has previously created the design for The Presents for Reeling and Writhing, a production that was trageted at 4-18 month old babies and she also worked with Starcatchers and Hazel Darwin-Edwards on the creation of The Attic in 2010 - 2012.

RSNO Alchemy

Families invited to The Monsters’ Ball

Unlike Lady Gaga's Monsters' Ball (I think that was the name of one of her tours), this one is from Children’s Classic Concerts (CCC) and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). So it will be good, and have less of the pottymouth. 

Sat 1st November 2014, 3.00pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Sun 2nd November 2014, 3.00pm, Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Apparently, they are transforming the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Usher Hall, Edinburgh into spooky ballrooms for a children's introduction to classical music. 

This ought to help me in my attempts to learn about classical music. Only it is recommended for ages 4 to 12. 

It's got those two off  the CCC, too: 'Owen Gunnell and Olly Cox will be dusting off their dancing shoes and inviting the audience to come dressed in their freaky finest for their latest Halloween-inspired celebration.'

Cox says “This is a Hallowe’en concert with a difference because we have a dancing theme. Not only will we have live dancers joining us, but the audience will be invited to get up on to their feet too. We have some fantastic pieces that will all contribute brilliantly to the spooky atmosphere.”



Among the musical treats will be a scene from Prokofiev’s Cinderella (it's ballet music, so I know it) as well as the mighty Montagues and Capulets theme from his music for the ballet of Romeo and Juliet (and that rocks). Grieg will contribute some tricky trolls from Peer Gynt and a specially commissioned Medley of Monsters will feature some scary characters from the cinema. I hope that Ultron is included.


Gunnell chips in. “We are particularly looking forward to telling the story of Robert Burns’ Tam O’ Shanter, with its scary dance scene in Alloway Kirkyard. I am going to play the role of Tam, so my horse Meg and I have been in strict training in order to escape the witches.”

And the RSNO are going to dress up in costumes, too. And there is a star prize for the best dressed audience member. I'll be entering this, no doubt banishing the opposition with my 'creepy critic by himself at children's concert' outfit.


Monsters’ Ball full concert programme:
Khachaturian Sabre Dance from Gayaneh (fast and rocking)

Prokofiev The Montagues and the Capulets from Romeo and Juliet

(a bit metal in its density)

Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt

Arnold Tam O’ Shanter

Johann Strauss II Pizzicato Polka

Arr. Andrew Cottee A Medley of Monsters
Debussy Clair de Lune (the sweet edge of the avant-garde)

Prokofiev Waltz and Midnight from Cinderella

Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre (well scary)

Richard O’ Brien The Time Warp (er... okay)

Conductor Jean-Claude Picard (I hope he dresses up as Jean-Luc)
Presenter Oliver Cox
Presenter Owen Gunnell

Art and Sport News with Triathlon

RSNO Mahler Social Media Call

14:15 Season a momentous orchestral year for the RSNO

Frankly, I can't keep up with the RSNO, so I am going to cut and past the highlights of their upcoming season. And add in the video of the conductor, Peter Oundjian, whizzing about on the dodgems.

My highlights are marked in bold, with a comment.

Press release begins...

The 2014:15 orchestral year will be one of momentous change for Scotland’s national orchestra, as the RSNO prepares to move into its new home – currently under construction adjacent to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - and will take this opportunity to reinforce its objective as being Scotland’s greatest resource for discovering, learning, engaging and enjoying orchestral music.

RSNO Music Director Peter Oundjian: “It is an honour for me to be a part of an organisation which, through the delivery of our new rehearsal and recording facility, will have so many opportunities to fulfil its aspirations of connecting with a growing audience.

"For us and our supporters this year will be remembered as the starting point of a new, successful chapter in the history of Scotland’s national orchestra, and I can think of no better way of marking this watershed moment than by performing some of most powerful music in the orchestral repertoire.”

RSNO Chief Executive Michael Elliott: “The move into our new home will herald the point where Scotland’s national orchestra is poised to build upon its remarkable achievements in recent years, to make another step-change in its contribution to Scotland and its cultural life. The forthcoming Season holds musical delights for all our different audiences and, combined with our learning and engagement programmes across Scotland; it builds upon our commitment to excellence and extending reach.”

A statement of intent can be drawn from the programming of the opening two concerts of the Season. Employing the talents of the RSNO’s pool of musicians, Peter Oundjian is joined at the front of the stage in the opening week by the Orchestra’s own Principal Flute Katherine Bryan for the Scottish première of Christopher Rouse’s Flute Concerto, a programme also featuring Wagner’s Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The following week Principal Cello Aleksei Kiseliov steps to the fore, to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto, sharing the evening with Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro Overture and Bruckner’s Symphony No7.

Nicola Benedetti MBE returns for her first performances of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No1 with the RSNO. Peter Oundjian and the Orchestra open with Respighi’s orchestration of Rachmaninov’s March from Cinq Études-tableaux, concluding with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No4.

Peter and the Orchestra’s final performances in November include Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919), Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings and, joined by recent Gramophone Award-winning artist, Scottish pianist Steven Osborne, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major.

Peter promised further investigation into the works of 20th century American composers, following the success of his previous performances of the repertoire. For the Sir Alexander Gibson Memorial Concert, a state-side selection, including John Adam’s Tromba Lontana, Bernstein’s violin concerto Serenade after Plato’s Symposium with Grammy-nominated soloist Robert McDuffie, Barber’s Symphony No 1 and Gershwin’s An American in Paris.

I like a bit of the minimal and  a bit of the jazz inflected.

The Music Director returns in May for the final two programmes of the 2014:15 Season. In the penultimate concert, Berlioz’s Le carnaval romain precedes Lalo’s most famous work, for solo violin and orchestra, Symphonie espagnole, with Ray Chen, and Brahms’ Symphony No2. To conclude the Season, Elgar’s proudest achievement, The Dream of Gerontius, with mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, tenor Toby Spence, bass Alan Opie and the RSNO Chorus.


RSNO Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Søndergård continues to convey his love of rich, complex works, his first concerts of the new Season featuring Richard Strauss’ Metamorphosen and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. However, for his second set of concerts audiences will have a hitherto unvisited opportunity to hear his interpretation of more familiar concert repertoire; Sibelius’ Symphony No6 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No6 Pathétique. The twist is Magnus Lindberg’s 2002 Clarinet Concerto, performed by the soloist for this work, Kari Kriikku.

For his final appearance of the 2014:15 Season, Thomas is joined by Canadian violinist James Ehnes for Nielsen’s Violin Concerto, a programme accompanied by Sibelius’ Karelia Suite and Beethoven’s Symphony No3 Eroica.


The Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate Neeme Järvi is fondly known for his world-renowned RSNO recordings of Russian repertoire. This Season he returns to Shostakovich’s Symphony No 5, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole, and, joined by International Classical Award’s 2012 Artist of the Year Jean-Efflam Bavouzet - who wowed RSNO audiences and critics in 2013 - Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No3.


RSNO Assistant Conductor Jean-Claude Picard made his European début last year with an operatic Valentine’s offering, and this coming February he returns to the podium to conduct a Latin flavoured romantic music selection, with works from De Falla, Chabrier, Rodrigo, Bizet, Morricone and John Barry.


Scottish Conductor Rory Macdonald makes his RSNO début in November for Remembrance Sunday weekend. Beethoven’sCoriolan Overture and Elgar’s Enigma Variations frame works by two Scottish composers. Cecil Coles’ Behind the Lines is a portrait painted by a young composer who died on the Western Front during the First World War, complemented in the programme by a substantial new work for Orchestra and Chorus by Sally Beamish, Equal Voices, a joint commission with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Daniel leads the RSNO for the first concerts of December, in an all-Russian menu of Prokofiev (Russian Overture), Shostakovich (Piano Concerto No 2 with RSNO debutante Kirill Gerstein) and Rachmaninov (Symphony No 2).

It's Russian: rich and romantic. 


Christoph Altstaedt made his début with the Orchestra in 2012, and caused such a sensation he was immediately invited back. Here he presents an evening of Schumann (Overture, Scherzo and Finale; Symphony No1 Spring) and Lizst (Piano Concerto No2) with Khatia Buniatishvili as soloist.

Haydn’s Symphony No49 La passione and Beethoven’s Symphony No6 Pastoral in the hands of Sir Roger Norrington promises to be a thought-provoking occasion. Lars Vogt features as soloist for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No27.

Finnish maestro John Storgårds makes his first appearances with the RSNO in May, with a triptych of Scandinavian treasures, Sibelius’ Nightride and Sunrise, Nielsen’s Symphony No4 The Inextinguishable, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto with soloistChristian Ihle Hadland.

The Orchestra’s relationship with Sir Andrew Davis is further cemented through his arrival, in May, to lead the musicians, performing works from three of the conductor’s most beloved composers; Delius’ A Song Before Sunrise and Berg’s Seven Early Songs, featuring soprano Erin Wall, precede Mahler’s Symphony No4.


Over the last year the RSNO has devoted more stage-time to popular programmes. Recently, its The Music of John Williamsconcert in Glasgow, which sold out months in advance, welcomed nearly 2000 new attenders to the Orchestra. This coming year the RSNO will continue to meet the clear appetite for experiencing live, well-known orchestral music.

Folk duo Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain return in November for St Andrew’s Party, which has become a firm favourite with traditional music-loving audiences. Expect guest appearances from big names, a night of jigs and reels, and, as Phil himself describes, “An intimate club night for 2,500 people…”

Hollywood Christmas, featuring the return of Hollywood conductor Richard Kaufman, the RSNO Chorus and Junior Chorus, explores the festive music of the silver screen.

The RSNO Christmas Concerts are now embedded as a traditional marking of the Scottish festive season. Christopher Bell conducts the Orchestra for the occasion, with seasonal fayre and the screening of Raymond Briggs’ classic animation, The Snowman, with Scottish actor Julie Wilson Nimmo as this year’s narrator.

Exponent of historical performance, British conductor Laurence Cummings returns to conduct Handel’s Messiah for the second year in a row, having led a performance which was, for one music critic, the best Messiah they had ever heard.

Classic FM presenter and Beethovian John Suchet joins Peter Oundjian and the RSNO for an evening dedicated to his favourite composer. Egmont Overture and Symphony No 5 as well as his Third Piano Concerto, performed by the as yet to be determined winner of the 2014 Scottish International Piano Competition.

The 2013:14 Season’s presentations of film music were very well received and for 2014:15 the Orchestra will extend its offering.The Music of John Williams returns in March with an additional concert in Edinburgh. Richard Kaufman will also return in April to conduct The Golden Age of Film Music, including music from Spartacus, North by Northwest, The Magnificent Seven and Gone With The Wind.

As the official orchestra for Children’s Classic Concerts in the Central Belt, the RSNO performs two programmes in the coming year; Halloween themed The Monsters’ Ball in November and Seasonal family fayre Deck The Halls With Owen and Olly.

(Go to 1:34 to hear Oundjian swearing...)

Big ambitions for RSNO’s Big Highland Residency

One of the many complications in the mind of a critic is how best to deal with work that has a 'community focus.' There is a great deal of guff spoken about how community organisations can make 'professional' performance (although professional isn't really a marker of quality). It might seem like a small matter  - does it really matter if youth companies get reviewed in the national papers, it hits at the heart of 'what art is for.'

There are even a few people who maintain the community side of theatre is more important than the professional, that participation is more socially useful than watching.

The RSNO are heading north for a residency, and the press release offers a chance to look at how professional and community can overlap.

Press release begins...

Scotland’s national orchestra collaborates with communities in the north of Scotland and presents a springtime celebration of music-making, from 31 March to 5 April.

'Music-making' - not appreciation or listening: this marks it up for me as being as much about the audience as the musicians.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) will connect with the music-loving communities of Inverness and surrounding area for The Big Residency, a week-long celebration featuring cross-community performances, workshops, interactive sessions, concluding with a full symphonic concert, from Monday 31 March to Saturday 5 April.

Look: there is community, right there. Pleased to see they are putting on a Big Show as well: it would be a bit disappointing if one of Scotland's major orchestras turned up in my town and handed the stage over for a primary school jam session without knocking out a few tunes.

Since the launch of the RSNO’s umbrella programme RSNO Engage last year the Orchestra has broadened the scope of its Learning and Engagement remit and is committed to developing longer-term relationships with communities across Scotland. Behind the scenes, RSNO musicians have, since September 2013, been working with young musicians from Inverness-shire, Wick, Thurso, Skye and Aberdeenshire, preparing them for forthcoming performances with Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, Highland Youth String Orchestra and Highland Schools Wind Band. In addition, over the last eight months RSNO players have been in residency in the Highlands offering open masterclasses for wind and string musicians aged 16 to 18.

Perfect: active engagement with local communities - opportunities for players (although it is in the youth sector, so I won't be getting in) - that encourages the future professionals without imposing a new Brand on existing companies. 

In association with Eden Court Theatre, Highland Council and supported by the Press and Journal and Highlife Highland, The Big Residency will be showcasing the ongoing work in a series of composition workshops, tailor-made performances for young people, cross-genre performances and a full symphonic concert.

The start of the week features RSNO on the Road, RSNO musicians including RSNO Principal Trombone Dávur Juul Magnussen, will be visiting schools across the area to lead a series of workshops from improvisation.

The critically-acclaimed Teddy Bears’ Picnic, performances for 3-5 year-olds, comes to Inverness for the first time, on Wednesday 2 April at Eden Court Theatre (10.00am and 11.30am). These story-led informal performances encourage participation from young concert attenders and their families. Receiving a five-star review for a similarly themed performance in 2013, the Herald described it as, “…a new concept, with a fresh and seamless presentation.” Wednesday also features performances for early school-years children and their families, Steve and His Seriously Tall Ladder, at the Eden Court Theatre (1.30pm, 4.00pm).

See what I mean about newspapers being off-target? Sure, the Teddy Bears' Picnic is a lovely idea but story-telling and orchestration... Peter and the Wolf anyone?


Boys United is a brand new initiative for the north of Scotland. In 2006 Director of the RSNO Junior Chorus Christopher Bell started a vocal ensemble for boys whose voices were changing. Changed Voices helps guide members - boys aged 13-18 - through that process of change. A programme inspired by the success of Changed Voices, Inverness will play host to Boys United, for the benefit of young male singers seeking to develop their ability before their voices change. With Christopher Bell visiting participating schools for preparatory sessions in the preceding weeks, the Empire Theatre at Eden Court will be filled with boys from P6 to S1 onThursday 3 April, for a day of practical exercises and informal performances.


Christopher Bell, Director, RSNO Junior Chorus: “I'm delighted to be able to come to Inverness and work with the young singers, helping to set them on the path to finding their voices. We have some great songs which will really enthuse our ensemble."

This is intriguing - although I don't envy the task of Christopher Bell here: a room full of boys at exactly the moment they are becoming young men. The smell of Lynx Africa hangs heavy...

Over the past four months, RSNO musicians have been collaborating with performers from Eden Court Community Dance Company and from Cashback for Creativity, developing a new performance. RSNO Remix will receive its première on Friday 4 April (6.00pm) at the Eden Court Theatre. It will incorporate remixed classical music - in this case Praeludium from Grieg’s Holberg Suite - digital animation and contemporary dance, creating a show that blends reworked music with two alternative but complementary art-forms, revealing ways in which traditional works can be placed in a modern context.

Intriguing stuff: and I love the dance. This is partially about introducing new audiences to orchestral music - as long as they aren't just sticking a four-to-the-floor beat on it. The danger might be that 'contemporary' dance is more niche than classical music (hey, it is people like me who love it). 


On Friday 4 April the RSNO presents Vaughan Williams’ Fifth, a full symphonic concert at Eden Court Theatre, featuring Vaughan Williams’ serene Fifth Symphony alongside Berlioz’ Helios Overture and Stravinsky’s ballet music Pulcinella, with conductor Jean-Claude Picard, whom the media recently described as “…clearly a man with a strong sense of fluidity, dynamism and style.” Contact the Eden Court Theatre website (www.eden-court.co.uk) or phone the Box Office on 01463 234234.


RSNO Assistant Conductor Jean-Claude Picard: “I was excited when I was offered the chance to conduct the RSNO for a concert as part of the Big Residency week. We have a great programme for you, featuring the Orchestra in all its splendour. I’m very much looking forward to sharing this music, in this excellent venue of yours that is Eden Court.”


Musicians and singers from the local area are invited to join the RSNO on Saturday 5 April for RSNO Collaborate, a day of coaching and guidance, culminating in an informal performance at Eden Court, to which friends and family are invited to come and see participants play and sing side-by-side with the RSNO. Workshops are from 10.00am until 5.00pm, with the final performance at 6.00pm. It is recommended that musicians be of Grade 4 standard or above. Singers can be of any ability but some experience is preferred as sheet music will be used for some of the pieces. Repertoire for the day will be a mix of classical, traditional and popular songs and will include: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Scottish traditional songs: Johnnie Cope and Will Ye No Come Back Again, and Sing by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

They had me until Gary Barlow.

Cal MacAninch plays Henry V with the RSNO. Art Crush Satisfied

I'm not saying that I feel in love with his villain in Betrayal at the Citizens' last year, but the evil glint in his eye made me ignore his character's vicious, controlling nature. And when his Duke of Cornwall got stabbed in King Lear the same year, I had to suppress an urge to boo. He might be famous now for being on Downtown Abbey, but Cal MacAninch playing Henry V is, like, my cross-platform event of the year.

Okay - so it's the season finale for RSNO, Nicola Benedetti will be cranking out the tune that is making her famous and the event is about celebrating Peter Oundjian's first year at the helm of the orchestra. But Cal MacAnich...

I shall just anticipate quietly... here's a press release, fragmented by my excitement...

Walton’s Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario concludes a gala concert programme featuring Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performing Vaughan-Williams’ The Lark Ascending and Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, opening with Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso.

Adapted from the Oscar nominated soundtrack for the 1944 film Henry V with Laurence Olivier, the work illustrates the story of the events leading up to and during the famous English military victory over the French at the Battle of Agincourt. 

Cal MacAninch: “I am absolutely thrilled that I have been invited to perform Walton’s Henry V with the RSNO as part of its final concerts of the season. I once dreamed of playing this concert but never imagined that it would be possible. It has been a favourite of mine ever since I saw Christopher Plummer narrate the original in London in 1990, and I am very excited that now I am being given the opportunity to fulfil such a long held ambition. But to do it in Scotland with the RSNO makes it all the sweeter."



Season Finale! Oundjian & Benedetti Gala Concert

Fri 31 May – Usher Hall, Edinburgh ∙ Sat 1 Jun – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Ravel Alborada del gracioso
Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending
Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo capriccioso
Walton/ Palmer Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario

Peter Oundjian (conductor), Nicola Benedetti (violin), Cal MacAninch (narrator), RSNO Chorus, RSNO Junior Chorus

Top Five out of my Inbox

Frankly, it can all get a bit much. I mean, I love sitting here, watching my in-box fill up with press releases: it reminds me that I am fortunate enough to live in a country where the arts are thriving. However, I have to make hard decisions: Black T-Shirt Collection at Tramway tonight, or Philip Jeck at Pulse: Touch 30? In the meantime, here's my latest collection of happenings across Scotland.

The RSNO have just received the Diapason d'Or de l’Année for their recording of Debussy with former musical director Stéphane Denève. 

Before Denève left in May 2012, he had made the orchestra into a veritable machine for Debussy - the conductor has a real love for the composer, and his work is beautifully pitched between modernist brevity and having a good tune. 

Hopefully, he'll come back and conduct a few shows in celebration: if not, the album is entitled Stéphane Denève Conducts Debussy and is on the Chandos label.

Still on the recording tip, Radio Hour favourites A Band Called Quinn are releasing their new album on Monday. Unfortunately, they've decided to launch it at Glasgow Loves Christmas which means I can't invite their singer onto the show and flirt pathetically with her. 

ABCQ have had a busy year: when they are not reinventing the rock gig as a theatrical performance, featuring the legendary Diane Torr as a nasty business man, singer Louise has been recording with Kid Loco or they are off supporting The Beat around Scotland. Having survived the machinations of the music industry - their Biding Time (remix) chronicled the fun they had being twisted into generic glamour fodder - ABCQ have made the jump into performance art, maintaining their smart new wave sound and sly pop sensibility. 

Over on the east coast, Cobweb Theatre Company present A Night of Fairy Tales in The Black Box at Queen Margaret University on the 7th of December. It's hard enough to make the major events these days, and now student companies are plugging into my fascination with dark fantasy and cabaret style theatre. They are including a "wonky, music based adaptation of Peer Gynt" - recently a smash hit for the NTS - and choreography featuring an intoxicating women in red and a snatch from Snow White's post-adventure marital disfunction. Now that pantomime is taking over the theatres, I'm always looking for a hit of more perplexing pleasures.

If I can get to Inverness - which isn't that likely - I wouldn't mind catching Georg-ina Porteous' Over Egging the Pudding. The result of her residency in Berlin, it is described as a durational blancmange demonstration. Failing that, there is someone blowing up lots of black, star-shaped balloons in the Briggait at the moment - I'll go and find out whether it's an exhibition or just a party for Goth children after I finish this.

Closer to home, but looking towards Christmas, the Art School is hosting an outing to SWG3. It is going to take me far too long to write a sensible preview for this - I have to remember that I am trying to empty my in-box and use my blog to make up a working timetable for my non-stop life of art action. It's one of those multi-art events that young people love so much. I'll have to send Eric, I suppose.