2016 Banchory Young Musician Concert

 A capacity audience of 260 enjoyed an evening of quality performances by the school’s music pupils, ranging from modern song classics such as Randy Crawford’s ‘One day I’ll fly away’ to classical piano and vocal works by Mozart and Handel. Special mention goes to Bronwyn Griffiths’ enchanting performance on the harp of ‘In a French Style’ by Savourna Stevenson.

Seventeen pupils took part and the judges had, as in most years, a difficult task in selecting the four winning performers. In the end, Cameron Brown and Mhairi Mckay took first and second places in the Vocal section, Matthew Coats and Callum Ewen were 1st and 2nd in Instrumental.

Cameron and Matthew now progress to the District Final of the Rotary national competition, which ends with the grand final in May.

Banchory Rotary President Richard Bridger extended thanks, on behalf of the audience and the club, to the Academy’s hard-working music teachers, to the three judges, to Woodend Barn staff (who had decorated the hall that afternoon), and most of all to the performers.

The evening finished with encores from Matthew, playing Grieg’s ‘Wedding Day at Troldhaugen’ on the grand piano, and Cameron singing ‘This is the Moment’ from the musical Jekyll and Hyde.

Photos show the packed auditorium, competitors receiving their certificates from club President Richard Bridger, the winners and runners-up (L-R Mhairi Mckay, Callum Ewen, Matthew Coats and Cameron Brown), and finally all the performers on stage.