Meldrum Academy get into the festive mood
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Last Wednesday the Meldrum Academy Christmas Concert took place in front of a sold out crowd.
Pupils from the Performing Arts Faculty had a busy week of rehearsals as this year they staged two concerts.
The first in the afternoon was for local Senior Citizens.
For this event pupils were joined by primary musicians from some of the associated primaries: Meldrum, Pitmedden, Tarves, Barthol Chapel, Rothienorman, Logie Durno, Udny Green, Culter Cullen, Rayne North, Daviot and Fyvie.
It was wonderful to hear them perform – upper and lower string groups, brass group , pipes and drums and Pitmedden and Tarves choirs.
They were joined by over 100 primary pupils and parents in the audience.
In the evening they opened the concert with the Pipe Band who marched in all the performers.
The soloist for the opening Carol – Once in Royal David’s City was S1 pupil Lillian King.
The Orchestra led by Principal Teacher Performing Arts Linda Moggach performed two pieces, then it was the turn of the Percussion Ensemble led by Tommy Boyle the Percussion instructor.
The Drama club headed by drama teacher John Paterson presented their Christmas Mystery.
Our growing Pipe Band led by Andrew Gray and Nicky Gibson performed 2 sets of Marches which set feet tapping.
Then it was the turn of the Highland Dancers and the Guitar Ensemble led by Paul Holroyd the guitar instructor.
New music teacher Jamie Murray led the Vocal group with ‘A Thousand Years and Merry Christmas Everyone.
Next it was the turn of Zoe Davidson and her Strings who performed the seasonal favourite ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’.
The S3 band Up for Debate performed one of their own songs – Fin’s Song along side an Artic Monkey’s number.
The Lower strings conducted by Kat Gilles performed two numbers.
The Senior Vocal Group led by music teacher Russell Fraser performed Sting’s Fields of Gold.
The Concert Band led by Fabrizio Oddo and Hannah Hilton had the audience tapping along to Jingle band.
Fiddlestix played some traditional reels at quite a speed!
The evening was rounded off with the traditional finale I wish it could be Christmas Everyday with all performers and audience joining in.
Principal Teacher Performing Arts Linda Moggach said: "It was a hugely successful evening and is always a pleasure to showcase the talent of our own pupils and also those of the associated primaries.
"We are very fortunate in Aberdeenshire to have such a dedicated team of music instructors working alongside the Faculty staff."
