An exciting afternoon and evening of music-making is set to take place at the Perth Concert Hall, as part of the Perth Festival of the Arts, showcasing some of the region’s most talented young performers.
Adjudicated by Tim Ridley, the programme opens at 1:30pm with Class 356: Percussion Ensemble (Orchestral Instruments), where Perth High Percussion Ensemble and Team Percussion go head-to-head for the trophy donated by Mr J.L. Hall. Audiences can expect an energetic mix of styles, from an ABBA medley to contemporary pop arrangements.
The afternoon continues with a celebration of emerging talent. A non-competitive Junior Music is Fun class at 1:50pm features Kinross Primary String Group performing a varied programme including traditional folk tunes and modern compositions.
At 2:00pm, elementary string orchestras take centre stage, with Ardoch Strings (Braco Primary) presenting a lively selection of Scottish traditional pieces alongside modern works.
The standard rises further at 2:20pm in the Advanced String Orchestra class, where Perth Academy String Ensemble and Perth High School String Orchestra compete for the prestigious String Orchestra Cup. Their programmes span classical favourites such as Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik through to contemporary and popular arrangements.
Brass takes the spotlight at 3:30pm in the Advanced Schools Brass Ensemble class. Perth High School Brass Band and Perth Academy Brass Band will battle it out for the George Annan Trophy with a crowd-pleasing mix of classics, jazz standards, and pop hits.
The day concludes with an evening performance at 6:00pm featuring Perthshire Youth Brass in the non-school brass band class. Their programme promises cinematic flair and musical variety, including themes from Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean, alongside modern chart hits and original brass repertoire.
With a rich and varied programme, the event highlights the depth of musical talent across Perth and Kinross schools and youth ensembles, offering an entertaining and inspiring experience for audiences of all ages.
Adjudicator’s remarks
Adjudicator Dr Tim Ridley praised an exceptionally high standard of performance across all percussion classes, noting that competitors were separated by only the finest of margins.
Speaking after the event, Dr Ridley admitted he had initially anticipated the usual ensemble challenges associated with percussion groups, such as timing and coordination issues. However, he was quick to highlight that these concerns did not materialise, with all groups delivering confident, well-rehearsed and musically engaging performances.
