Musicians join together to launch concert series
for events with limited places: Ceilidh dancing, garden and backstage tours including going on stage with current show set – and children’s Bookbug, and the storytelling sessions in the yurt.
There are competitions too. Remember the TV show Stars In Their Eyes? PFT wants folk to come dressed as their favourite pop star and design a party hat. Not got one? Just make it on the day. There will be a parade and prizes at 3.30pm.
It’s an all-day affair too. If you get hungry, renowned MacDonald’s Butchers and Hettie’s Tearoom will be selling great barbecue food and drink.
Artistic director Elizabeth Newman explained:“We’re throwing open our doors and our arms to everyone. We wanted to say thank you to the town and hello to new friends with free theatre and other activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“It will give us a chance to really celebrate our loyal supporters and hopefully welcome new people to Pitlochry. We really hope you’ll come and visit us.”
Book ticketed events on 01796 484 626. Musicians from Scotland’s national orchestras have officially launched this year’s Perth Concert Series.
And they took the opportunity to remind fans of their commitment to offering free or reduced price tickets for young people this season.
Perth Concert Series is the only platform dedicated to showcasing the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and is this year hoping to attract as many young people into the concert hall’s auditorium as possible.
James Waters, creative director for classical music at Horsecross Arts, said: “Perth Concert Hall is thrilled to host the launch of the 2019-20 Perth Concert Series.
“Supported by The Gannochy Trust, the season is at the heart of our classical music programme and the unique partnership between the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Horsecross Arts ensures that Perth audiences experience the very best of orchestral music.
“By offering free tickets to 18 and unders, we are opening our doors to a future generation of concert lovers. “We would urge young people to give it a go. “They may not think they like classical music, but they will find that it underscores much of their lives, from films and television to video games and adverts.
“The benefits of even a short period of musical relaxation to mental health are well documented, so we reckon this offer will come into its own during exam time.”
The series opens on Wednesday, September 25 with International Classical Music Awards’ artist of the year Javier Perianes performing Beethoven, Dvorak and Brahms with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Further highlights include music by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Mahler and a guest appearance by Scottish pianist Steven Osborne as well as performances by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, The Cassado Ensemble and guitarist Milos Karadagli with the Siberian Symphony Orchestra.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra will also perform ‘The Snowman’ concert before Christmas and the Viennese Gala in the new year.
Gavin Reid, chief executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, said: “The Scottish Chamber Orchestra prides itself on making its performances of great music as accessible as possible.
“So I’m delighted that the Perth Concert Series, which is generously supported by The Gannochy Trust, features free tickets for all those aged 18 and under and £6 tickets for under 26s and students, meaning that more young people in Perth and Kinross will have the opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of live music, performed by world-class musicians.”
Alistair Mackie, chief executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, added: “The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is proud to be part of a strong team of organisations working to bring excellent classical music to the Perth Concert Series.
“We are thrilled that internationally acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne will be back with us in November for what is not only the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s first season concert in Perth, but also Steven’s first concert as our artist-in-residence for 2019-20.
“This really is a special time to be part of this launch and we are already looking forward to coming back complete with our music director Thomas Sondergard, to conduct that thrilling evening of music.”
Young people can also go free to Perth Piano Sundays and the lunchtime concerts in Perth Concert Hall as well.
Tickets can be bought from the Horsecross Arts box office on 01738 621031 or www.horsecross.co.uk