New Bon-Accord youth band has its first rehearsal
Bon-Accord Silver Band’s newly formed youth band has had its first rehearsal following two years of preparatory work in setting up an ensemble for young trainee instrumentalists.
Thanks to a grant award from the William Syson Foundation, the support of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire music departments and local brass and percussion tutors, the band welcomed pupils aged 10 to 15 from across the region for their inaugural rehearsal on Sunday 24 August. The players will meet weekly for their free practice sessions.
The youth band’s vice chairman, Gary Macdonald, commented: “It’s been a long journey getting to where we are today, securing funding and ensuring we comply with all the necessary safeguarding laws and regulations, but I’m delighted we are now finally able to get it across the line.”
Musical director Jennifer Cook was impressed after the first rehearsal and is looking forward to challenging the pupils’ musical capabilities. The first public performance on Sunday 14 December, where they will join both the Bon-Accord Silver Band and B Band in Fountainhall Church at the Socket for their annual Christmas Concert.
The Bon-Accord Silver Band was formed in 1962 by the late Stewart Watson MBE, a brass instructor with the City of Aberdeen. Membership grew to such an extent that a B Band was formed in 1978. Both bands regularly represent Aberdeen at a national and international level.
