Concert performance rounds off the year for Meldrum Academy Performing Arts faculty
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Meldrum Academy Performing Arts Faculty held their annual Christmas Concert on the last Wednesday of term.
This was the biggest concert in the history of the school with over 130 young people taking to the stage to perform to a sold out hall.
This year saw twelve music and drama groups perform; The Orchestra, Concert Band, Pipe Band, Fiddlestix (Ceilidh Band), Junior and Senior Vocal Groups, Drama Club, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, String Ensemble, Highland Dancers and Ukulele Group.
Each group rehearses at lunchtime or after school and come together on concert week.
The first time the whole concert is put together is on the actual night!
Linda Moggach Principal Teacher Faculty of Performing Arts said: "We have a fantastic team of staff and Aberdeenshire Instrumental Music Staff who work hard to ensure the evening is a success.
"Thanks to all involved."
And there was a special event for Linda as well during the festive season when she was incredibly proud to be nominated by The Marchioness of Aberdeen to attend Together at Christmas hosted by HRH The Princess of Wales in Westminster Abbey earlier this month.
The nomination was in recognition of Linda’s extensive and longstanding work with children and young people at community music events across Aberdeenshire, particularly at Haddo House near Tarves.
The Marchioness, Joanna, Lady Aberdeen, who lives at Haddo House is a patron of Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society, said: “Through the Aberdeenshire Lieutenancy, I am able to nominate someone who does amazing work with our people.”
Linda said: “The whole service was incredible.
"There was music by Adam Lambert and Beverly Knight who sang a duet, Jacob Collier who performed on John Lennon’s piano, James Bay, Freya Ridings who was accompanied by the Soul Sanctuary Choir and the Westminster Abbey Choir.
"There were readings by HRH The Prince of Wales and Jim Broadbent.
"It was a very special day and one I will remember forever."
She continued: "In the Performing Arts it is very important to us to give our musicians any opportunity we can for them to perform, and the Meldrum musicians love it.
"Since August they have performed at numerous community events including Cala Homes Southbank in Aberdeen, Glen Garioch Distillery, Meldrum Lights Switch on, their own Live Lounge at Barra Castle, Apple Sunday at Pitmedden Garden, created an online concert for Westbank Care Home as well as a sell out concert in the school with over 130 musicians taking part.
"Preparation has now begun for our next Music Tour in 2025 where 71 musicians will perform in Belgium, Holland Luxembourg and Germany. "We have an incredibly supportive team of Music staff and Aberdeenshire Instrumental Music Instructors who work closely to make these opportunities a success."
