Perth Youth Orchestra are making final preparations for the last two concerts of their 60th anniversary year. On Thursday 25th August the players will perform at Greyfriar’s Kirk in Edinburgh in the heart of the festival city. Under the baton of Mr Allan Young, who is marking his own 21st season with the orchestra, the orchestra’s programme includes popular pieces from the musicals including Beyond the Forest, from the Hobbit and Miss Saigon.
Three of the orchestra’s senior players will step into the spotlight as soloists. Calista Donald and Lorna Rae team up to bring the visually spectacular Concerto for Two Trombones by Ricardo Mollá. Calista, from St John’s Academy, Perth, will be studying History next year but still plans a busy musical diary. Lorna, Perth High School, has been making hard decisions between her studies in biochemistry and pharmacology but has finally decided to do music at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire in Glasgow.
Later in the programme, George Croudace, Dollar Academy, takes command of the xylophone in a performance of Mayuzumi’s Concerto. He is equally comfortable on drumkit or saxophone and, as did Calista and Lorna, he took part in the orchestra’s concert tour to Italy in 2019.
Leaving school this year, George has decided to go on to study Computing Science at Edinburgh University, though keeping music in his life will continue to be a priority for him as well.
Mr Allan Young said, “Celebrations for the orchestra’s Diamond Anniversary year looked set to be muted following the restrictions of the two lockdown COVID years. However, the musicians exploded back into action for the orchestra’s Annual Concert at Easter and the traditional Autumn Concert series was back on.”
“PYO has appeared regularly in Edinburgh, at Festival time, and we are pleased to be back again this year.”
A supporters bus leaves St John’s Academy, Gowans Terrace, Perth on Thursday 25th, at 5.30pm, cost just £5 return. The concert starts at 7.30pm – adults £10; children and students FREE.
Contact Gosia Stanton gosiastanton@gmail.com to book a seat on the bus.
The concert is repeated at 7.30pm, on Monday 29th August, in Perth Concert Hall.
