Monday 9th March, ’26 – morning

Morning session

The opening morning of school choir classes at the 102nd Perthshire Music Festival featured a range of enthusiastic performances from local schools. Adjudicator Tara Leiper praised the singers for their clear diction, good ensemble work and the musical contrast shown across the programmes.

In Class 066 (City Primary Schools up to 12 years), the Craigclowan Concert Choir, conducted by Karol Fitzpatrick, performed Flash, Bang, Wallop! by David Heneker and Hush-a-Bye Mountain by the Sherman brothers. The lively first piece and the gentle second song showed strong contrast, and the choir’s confident singing earned them The Millennium Trophy, presented by Jean Thomson.

In Class 067 (Infants – P1–3), the Craigclowan Junior Choir sang Postman’s Song by Phyllis Tate and the traditional Canadian song Land of the Silver Birch, arranged by Kevin Stannard. The adjudicator commented on the choir’s bright tone and clear storytelling, awarding them the Shield presented by Mr & Miss Coates.

Class 068 (Junior – P4–5) featured the Craigclowan Middle School Choir, also conducted by Karol Fitzpatrick. They performed Poco Poppa Pizza and Mama Piccolo by Betty Roe and the Scottish favourite The Dark Island. Their strong character and musical expression won them the Memorial Challenge Cup presented by John Masterson Esq.

In Class 069 (Senior – P6–7), the Craigclowan Senior Choir performed Let It Be by Lennon and McCartney (arranged by Emerson) and Firefly by Andy Beck. Tara Leiper praised the choir’s warm blend and confident sound, awarding them The City of Perth Co-operative Society Rose Bowl.

The final class of the session, Class 075 (Mixed Voices up to S6), was won by the Strathallan School Choir, conducted by Jeff Wilson. Their performances of Homeward Bound by Marta Keen (arranged by Althouse) and Falling Water by Rollo Dilworth were commended for their balance, expressive singing and musical maturity, earning them the Trophy presented by Mrs William Gray.

Results

Young singers and choirs achieved impressive results in the vocal classes at the Perth Festival of the Arts.

Craigclowan School enjoyed a strong showing across the primary choir categories under conductor Karol Fitzpatrick. The Craigclowan Concert Choir scored 80 in the City Primary Schools class, while the Junior Choir (P1–P3) achieved 82. The Middle School Choir (P4–P5) was awarded 80 and the Senior Choir (P6–P7) gained 81.

In the Mixed Voices class for choirs up to S6, Strathallan School, conducted by Jeff Wilson, received a mark of 83.

Julie Young Choirs, conducted by Gemma Farren, also performed well in the youth choir classes using backing tracks. The Under-12 choir scored 80, the Under-15 choir 82, and the Under-18 choir achieved the highest choir mark of the section with 85.

In the Vocal Solo Musical Theatre class for singers aged 14–15, Alexander Patterson of Pirrie Performing Arts topped the class with 86. Emilie Boulet, Lo Brierley of Blairgowrie High School and Albert Jaggard of Julie Young Dance Studios each scored 85, while Mia Craik-Knight of Pirrie Performing Arts received 83.