Children and young people from across Edinburgh took to the stage at the prestigious Usher Hall yesterday evening (Monday 24 March) for the City of Edinburgh Council’s spring concert.
The concert showcased the inspiring standard of music-making taking place across the city’s school bands, orchestras and ensembles, with the concert providing young musicians the opportunity to perform in a public concert hall, collaborate with their peers and perform to a large audience.
The programme for the spring concert included a variety of captivating music, performed by children and young people from schools across the city as part of various groups including the Edinburgh Schools’ Senior Brass Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ String Training Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Choir, Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Rock Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble and Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s schools instrumental service provides weekly lessons to over 5,000 primary and secondary school pupils across the city. Lessons are introduced to pupils from Primary 4 for upper strings, Primary 5 for woodwind, brass, cello, piping, Scottish drumming and clarsach, and S1 for voice, guitar, percussion, piano, keyboard and double bass.
This concert forms part of the celebration of Edinburgh 900, marking 900 years of formal ‘local democracy’ when, in 1124 King David I created the royal burgh of Edinburgh, one of the oldest in Scotland. This year, a series of events, talks, tours and tales will help to tell the fascinating and diverse stories of Edinburgh’s journey and unique story.
City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:
It was a true pleasure to hear our incredibly talented young people perform last night in celebration of Edinburgh’s 900 years as a Royal Burgh.
Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future. What better way to honour this milestone than with nearly 500 young musicians from across Edinburgh, filling the spectacular Usher Hall with their inspiring performances? From Bach to Bohemian Rhapsody, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
A heartfelt thank you to the Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, and supporters who work so hard to make these events possible. And, of course, to our wonderful young musicians—your dedication and talent continue to make our city proud."
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education and Children and Families Convener, said:
The school’s instrumental service concerts are always a special event for me, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience the musical talents of our youngsters in the setting of the Usher Hall. I am always astounded by the exceptional array of musical ability that is showcased by the young people who perform individually or as part of an ensemble or orchestra.
The performances represent hours upon hours of tuition from dedicated music teachers, and the hard work and practice put in by our young musicians. I am incredibly proud to be part of a city that invests in making music tuition accessible to such a large proportion of our learners and want to thank all those who work so hard to make concerts like this one possible.