East Lothian’s young musicians will join world-class performers from RAF Music as part of an exclusive collaboration between the organisation and the council’s Instrumental Music Service.
The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, led by Director of Music, Flying Officer (Fg Off) Mike Parsons recorded footage of the band, individual tuition videos and met with pupils through live webinars in preparation for a joint performance of Elizabeth Woodsend’s ‘The Lass O’ the Loch’.
“It has been a pleasure to work with East Lothian Instrumental Music Service in preparing this joint performance. The RAF is proud to provide opportunities and support for young people at these challenging times, and sharing our musical knowledge and enthusiasm with these musicians has been a real privilege.”
Director of Music
Flying Officer Mike Parsons
East Lothian’s Instrumental Music Service Manager Jonathan Gawn previously who served with the RAF and has maintained strong links with the body. He worked with the Band, to develop a performance that would give pupils studying through the service an opportunity to participate in an online performance. Around 100 pupils will join with RAF Musicians in an event that will premiere on the council’s Facebook channel at 7.30pm on Thursday 8 October.
IMS manager Jonathan Gawn said: “Current restrictions in schools mean musical ensembles cannot rehearse, the Instrumental Music Service has collaborated with RAF Music to give the young people a platform on which to perform once again. Instead of the Brunton (Performing Arts Venue in Musselbugh), we will be on Facebook and YouTube but it is essential we provide these opportunities to ensure that music remains an intrinsic part of life in East Lothian. The feedback from the young people has been superb. We have just finished one of our online sessions and it was great to see the young musicians together again and I think we are all really excited now about Thursday evening.”
