Community / Hopes for schools music festival to return in 2022
IN A NORMAL year, Mareel should have been ringing with the sound of instruments and singing at the annual schools music festival.
But the March event has cancelled for a second time and put back to 2022 due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Noelle Henderson from the Shetland Schools Music Festival committee said, however, that creative music making has still been taking place over the past year, with music lessons taking place remotely or to a number of pupils in schools.
“In particular it has been difficult for woodwind, brass, pipes and singing which hasn’t been allowed under current restrictions,” she said.
“Both teachers and pupils alike have been learning new skills to enable them to continue making music via a virtual platform.
“Some live lessons have been taking place in schools when the rules have allowed and class music has also continued with music teachers coming up with creative music making ideas to keep lessons fun and keep pupils engaged.
“It is one thing for pupils to be playing to a screen at home with albeit their own instructor or teacher on the screen but quite another bringing pupils together to play with the energy that is created around these events like the music festival.
“Where the emphasis and spirit of the festival has been to give pupils the chance to play live on a professional stage and enjoy the experience of a supportive and appreciative audience.”
Henderson said the week of the festival normally sees around 1,000 participants taking part in a range of solo, duet and group classes culminating in a gala concert.
In previous years audiences have also looked forward to seeing the film with highlights from the week made by students from the UHI film course, which is shown at the gala concert.
“It is very much hoped that next year will see the return of the Shetland Schools’ Music Festival and for Mareel to be full of young people playing their instruments and being inspired by other young musicians,” Henderson said, “while also giving families and friends a chance once again to gather together socially and enjoy some fantastic playing by the young people in Shetland.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
