Press Release 29th April 2019

Celebrity Endorsement for Inverurie Music

Inverurie Music celebrated their 20^th Anniversary in style on Saturday 27^th April at the Garioch Heritage Centre, Inverurie. Over the last twenty years, the Charitable organisation has been bringing classical music concerts of outstanding quality to local venues in and around Inverurie.

It was Inverurie Music’s contribution to music education in this area however which prompted Scottish violin virtuoso, Nicola Benedetti, to send a message of support. Nicola, who was recently awarded a CBE and named Best Classical Artist 2019 at the Classical Brit Awards, recorded a short video praising the work done by the organisation. In particular, she singled out the Inverurie Music Award to assist young musicians in local schools, which was launched at the event.

In addition to a display of memorabilia, guests were treated to a concert of music performed by talented young musicians living in the local area.

Flautist, thirteen year old Olwenn Stewart, and her sister, clarinettist eleven year old Linden Stewart each performed solo pieces on their instruments before joining forces to play some duets. The pieces ranged from “My Dad’s an Accountant” by Mike Mower to ”Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams, finishing with the traditional “Silver Sand Rag”. Their confident delivery and the joy they clearly took in playing was a pleasure to see.

The sisters were followed by a performance on the viola by second year pupil Ellen MacDonald of JS Bach’s Minuets No.1 and 2 from the unaccompanied Suite No.1 in G major. Ellen is working towards Grade 6 on both viola and piano. This was a very competent and musical performance from one so young.

Imogen Vickers, who is in her final year at school, treated us to two vocal pieces – “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line; and “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera. Beautifully delivered, she followed this by a spirited performance of three pieces on the violin – Mozart’s Allegro con Spirito from the Violin Sonata in G major, K301; Fritz Kreisler’s “Sicilienne and Rigaudon”; and Kodaly’s “Intermezzo” from the “Hary Janos Suite”.

The final performance of the evening was given by fifth year pupil Ruaraidh Williams on the cello. Ruaraidh, who also plays the piano and classical guitar, gave a very polished and mature performance of his three pieces: 1^st and 2^nd movements (Lento and Allegro) from Telemann’s Sonata in D, TWV 41:D6; a sensitive rendition of Ernest Bloch’s “Jewish Song”; and finally Brahms’ Sonata Movement for cello and piano. Ruaraidh, who is Principal cello in the senior section of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, clearly has a great future ahead of him.