Music school kids rock out for charity Cash raised at concert for child cancer research
Gifted young musicians from an East Kilbride music school dazzled audiences at Christmas in aid of sick children.
The Village School of Music’s annual charity Christmas concerts were a complete sell-out as dozens of revellers packed into the atmospheric Strathaven Town Mill Theatre for a two-night spectacle.
And an incredible £1300 was raised in aid of Neuroblastoma UK – a charity which funds vital research into fighting the rare child cancer.
The evenings featured group and solo performances from over 60 students, young and mature, playing various instruments including guitar, piano, violin, ukulele, drums and vocals.
And the varied programme included hits from Iron Maiden, Metallica, Bing Crosby, Adele, Journey, Queen, Toto, The Temptations, Beethoven, The Killers, Dire Straits, The Shadows, Paulo Nutini as well as a selection of timeless Christmas Classics.
Village Music School director and owner of the Village Music shop, Jamie Finn, said: “We hold two concerts each year – one at the end of term in summer, and our Christmas show.
“These events not only raise funds, and awareness for an immensely worthy cause, but also give our students a goal to work towards, and help improve focus and reinforce practice.
“The shows are also opportunities for our students to play and perform together, to develop their musicianship, and a chance for parents and families in the audience to be proud.
“At the end of the day learning an instrument is more than just practicing scales, arpeggios and rudiments at home – music should always be enjoyable, fun and social.”
This year the school’s hardest working students were celebrated with tutors nominating their student of the year .
Award winners were as follows:
Beth Rooney – Vocalist of the Year.
Harry Wales – Drummer of the Year.
Craig Livingston – Scott Abercrombie’s Guitarist of the Year.
Murray Thompson – Michael Smith’s Guitarist of the Year.
Rachael Girven – Andrew Cowan’s Guitarist of the Year.
Eilidh Morgan – Pianist of the Year. Megan Farr – Ukulelist of the Year. Kirsten Fleming – Banjoist of the Year.
Rachel Woods – Violinist of the Year.
The inaugural 2016 Village School of Music Musician of the Year trophy was presented to 11-year-old piano virtuoso Raphael Gutierrez.
Jamie added: “The Village School of Music would like to thank the Village Music for sponsoring the event, all our tutors for giving up two evenings to help run the show, and to the students and families who have supported us.”