Traditional and modern displays from musicians

Talented young musicians from across Perth and Kinross entertained crowds last week in St John’s Kirk.

As part of the Perth Festival of the Arts, children from schools across the region performed a selection of classical, pop and Scottish songs at a lunchtime concert on Friday, May 18.

The concert started patriotically, with Lucy Jamieson from Perth High School giving a powerful rendition of Highland Cathedral on the bagpipes to get the crowd going for the one-hour long musical extravaganza.

A special mention was made to three of the groups, who entertained audiences despite only forming a week previously at the annual junior music camp.

The guitar ensemble, led by Owen Nicholson from popular Perth band The New Madrids, brought a pop element to proceedings with their take on I Get Around by the Beach Boys, before jumping back in time to the Baroque period with Vivaldi’s concerto in D.

And the percussion ensemble brought pop and rock to the iconic St John’s Kirk with We Will Rock You by Queen and Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

A number of soloists performed outstandingly at the concert. The first came from Ulla Gingule from St John’s RC Academy, who played a piano duet alongside teacher Liam O’Hare, and little Ellen Lacoux from Abernyte Primary School on flute.

And then Robert McCall from St John’s RC Academy stole the show with his piano solo, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour with a rendition of Dead Things from the film The Hours.

And the audience were delighted to see Scottish tunes on harp by young Molly Sands from Oakbank Primary School. She confidently played Mile Marbhaisg Air A’Ghaol (A Thousand Curses in Love), before playing Thoir A-Nall Ailean Ugan (Alan Come Across to Me), where she surprised the audience by singing Let Her Go by pop band Passenger on top of the traditional music.

And the final soloist of the concert was Ola Stanton from Kinross High School, who wowed the audience on her violin with Leibesleid.

Younger string players from Kinross then joined together with their teacher Sharon Doyle to play together in a chamber group style.

The audience gave a massive round of applause for the afternoon of music, and were clearly impressed by the talents of the young musicians.

Lunchtime school concerts are held in St John’s Kirk throughout the festival at 12.30pm. Entry is free.