All Welcome: Highland Young Musicians To Host Upcoming ‘taster Day' For Prospective Members

4th September 2023

High Life Highland's Music Tuition Service is providing the exciting opportunity for young musicians across the Highlands to register for membership in the flagship Highland Young Musicians groups.

Highland Young Musicians activities provide fantastic opportunities to progress from the many school, area, and independent groups which exist throughout the region.

There are currently six groups: Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, Highland Schools Wind Band, Highland Youth Choir, Highland Youth String Orchestra, Highland Youth Big Band, and ‘snas (ceilidh band).

Norman Bolton, High Life Highland's Head of Music Development, shared: "The opportunity to join these groups is typically by invitation or by Instructor recommendation.

"However, High Life Highland does broaden the opportunity to young, emerging musicians who are not necessarily taught by High Life Highland Instructors.

"Orchestral, wind, brass, trad, rhythm players, and singers approaching Grade 4 standard or above are sought after at this time. Musicians who are working towards the appropriate standards and aim to achieve this by mid-September this year are more than welcome.

“To be a Highland Young Musician is a great honour, with recognition offered on a local and national level, from taking part in the likes of ‘Beating Retreat', playing in concert at Eden Court, or being awarded ‘Highland Young Musician of the Year’.

“The first Highland Young Musician concert since the pandemic took place at Inverness High School earlier this year, which included upwards of 200 young musicians taking part ‘on stage’ on the day - and it was a huge success.

“Ensemble playing at the level achieved in our Highland Young Musicians groups is an important stepping-stone in the progression pathways offered in the Highland region.

“High Life Highland are not only improving musical skills with these opportunities, but also the personal, organisational, and social skills required in this structured environment.

“These are all valuable and transferrable skills which help young people across the Highlands in their further education, employment prospects, and life beyond school."

Steve Walsh, High Life Highland’s Chief Executive, concluded: “Being a Highland Young Musician provides the ideal opportunity for members to make friends beyond their local areas and be a part of musical experiences of the highest standards.

“It is important to note that all young musicians based in the Highland area are welcomed along to apply and participate - the ‘Taster Day’ is not exclusive to those receiving lessons from High Life Highland Instructors - so I hope that prospective members will take this opportunity in their stride."

The ‘Taster Day’ will be taking place on Saturday 23rd September in Inverness High School from 10:30am to 4pm.

Young musicians interested in the opportunity are required to register for and attend the upcoming Taster Day using the following link: https://surveys.highlifehighland.com/s3/HYMGroupsMembership
The terms, conditions, and costs associated with Highland Young Musicians’ membership can be found at: https://www.highland-young-musicians.com