Whitburn to perform at Edinburgh International Festival for second consecutive year

Whitburn Band is looking forward to performing at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival for the second consecutive year.

The band will play Sir James MacMillan’s poignant oratorio All the Hills and Vales Along – written to commemorate those who died in the First World War – with the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) and conductor Christopher Bell.

The concert – which has already sold out – will be held on Friday, August 16 at Greyfriars Kirk.

It is part of a five-concert series at the International Festival featuring the work of Sir James to mark his 60th birthday. Other ensembles performing the composer’s works include the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, The Sixteen and the Nash Ensemble.

Other performers featuring at this year’s International Festival include the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra with Gustavo Dudamel, the National Theatre of Great Britain, actors Stephen Fry and Sir Ian McKellen, and the London Symphony Orchestra with Sir Simon Rattle.

It is the second year in a row that Whitburn will perform at the most prestigious arts festival in the world.

Last year, the Scottish Open champion played as part of Lau Land at the Leith Theatre to a capacity audience.

Whitburn also performed at last year’s Celtic Connections in Glasgow, again as a guest of Lau.

Whitburn Band Chairman Charlie Farren said: “The band is delighted to be invited to perform once again at the Edinburgh International Festival.

“This event allows the band the opportunity to reconnect with the music of Sir James MacMillan with this special work, and with Christopher Bell – the musical director for the event – who the band is lucky enough to have worked with in the past.

“We look forward to working alongside NYCOS, and the entire event promises to be very special. The band is excited to be associated with what will be great musical spectacle.”