Wind bands on form at summer concert

LOCHABER High School’s wind bands staged their summer concert on Thursday June 15.

The students performed a variety of music across a range of genres.

The junior wind band, conducted by Karen Thompson, opened the concert with a selection of music, from traditional Scottish tunes through to a piece about aliens featuring creative percussion.

The Big Band performed jazz and swing numbers, including Mambo No. 5 and a jazz version of My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music.

Finally, the senior wind band, which earlier this year retained its Gold Plus Award for the third year running, performed a selection of tunes, including some from the soundtrack of the Disney Pixar film The Incredibles and a piece entitled Shipwrecked, which again featured creative percussion.

The Big Band and senior band were both conducted by Mark Reynolds.

Head teacher Jim Sutherland said: ‘The young people who play in our wind bands are great ambassadors for the school and an excellent example to other pupils. They represent us so well at different events from Remembrance weekend to school concerts and, of course, national competitions. I was delighted when our senior wind band won a third Gold Plus award at the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth earlier this year; a fitting tribute to the instructors Mark Reynolds and Karen Thomson who work hard to provide first class musical opportunities.’