Talented pupils shine at concert
Entertainment at Blairgowrie High School
Talented pupils at Blairgowrie High School entertained and delighted audience members at the music department’s festive concert recently.
There was a good turnout at the Beeches Road school for the event which saw pupils show off their skills with a variety of performances.
The show opened with pipers, led by AJ McGregor, and dancers from the school performing a routine choreographed by Casey Meager and Laura McLean to The Pogues’ classic ‘Fairytale of New York’.
The choir then sang ‘The Rhythm of Life’ accompanied by music teacher Mrs James on piano.
S2 pupil and brass player Tom Kelly performed ‘See Amid the Glistening Snow’ followed by the school’s brass ensemble playing ‘Carol of the Bells’ and Lisa Fairweather and Fiona Stewart duetting on ‘Cappriccio Italien’.
A piano duet of ‘Jingle Bells’ by Megan Ashley and Josephine Addison then followed.
Kirsty Barnett, Niamh Hunter and Ruth Daniell sang ‘Silent Night’ before the dancers returned to the stage with an energetic Irish jig.
The string orchestra performed ‘Sleigh Ride’ and then S1 pupil Campbell Napier took to the stage with his saxophone for a solo performance of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’.
S4 pupil Roisin Penny played a cornet solo, ‘Troika’, before the choir sang ‘Home is where the heart is’ to finish.
Principal teacher of the music and drama department at Blairgowrie High School, Rosemary Chivers, thanked everyone for coming to the show.
She said: “This time of year is very busy and we really appreciate everyone who found the time to come out and support us.
“This is the fourth year that we have done this show at Blairgowrie High School and a lot of hard work goes into making this sort of event happen.
“I would like to thank the music teachers and my colleagues in the music department for all their effort, my colleagues in the drama department and the other members of staff who performed or sang, and the janitorial staff who set everything up for us.
“Thanks also to the pupils who all did so well, and to their parents for encouraging the young people to keep up with their music lessons.
“This year’s show was particularly special as it was music teacher Alison James’ last week at Blairgowrie High School.
“She has been a stalwart of the music department since 1996 through all the changes, the rebuilds and the curriculum reshuffles.
“The concert is a testimony to her skill as a musician and the standard she instils in the pupils is tremendous.”
Head girl at Blairgowrie High School, Kirsty Barnett, added her thanks to Mrs James.
She said: “Mrs James has been my music teacher for six years and has influenced me not only musically but also inspired me as a person.
“For someone to be inspirational they need to have certain qualities. They need to be someone who is approachable and someone you can trust. Mrs James is very observant and always knows if there’s something wrong. She’ll do everything she can to support you whether it’s to make you laugh with a witty joke or offer you a tissue.
“She is the queen of preparation, extremely determined and never gives up. She has a unique sense of humour and always has time to offer pupils. We will all miss her very much.”
And head teacher at the school Bev Leslie added: “This was another great show of Blairgowrie talent, made all the more poignant as it was Mrs James’ last week at the school after 23 years service.
“We would like to wish her all the best in her new position at Perth High School - our significant loss is their significant gain.
“I would also like to say well done to all the pupils and staff for working together to produce another fantastic show. It was a lovely evening, and I was especially delighted to hear one member of the public in the audience comment on what an achievement it is to get so many young people up on stage performing so well.
“They are certainly a credit to the school.”