AIYF
DANCE, THEATRE WORLD MUSIC CHOIRS, OPERA ORCHESTRAS, JAZZ
24 JULY- 1 AUGUST 2015
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
WWW.AIYF.ORG
Silver Sponsor
Principal Supporters
Contents Welcome..................................................... 03
World Music........................................... 32-33
Box Office Information.................................. 04
Jazz............................................................ 34
Aberdeen City Venues and Sponsors............. 05
Up Close & Musical................................. 35-38
Festival Programme by Day...................... 06-15
AIYF Spotlight Sessions & . Freshly Squeezed / Communities Tour........... 39
Extended Festival by Venue...................... 16-22 B on a T competition..................................... 23 Choirs.................................................... 24-25 Dance.................................................... 26-28 Orchestras................................................... 29 Theatre................................................... 30-31
Summer Courses..................................... 40-41 Community Projects................................. 42-44 Acknowledgements...................................... 45 Join Us - We Need Your Support ����������������� 46
24 JUL - 01 AUG Welcome 03
Welcome Stewart Aitken CEO & Artistic Director Firstly I’d like to extend a very warm welcome and thanks to everyone involved in this year’s festival. Whether you are a participant, a member of the audience, staff, friend, festival venue or sponsor I know that you will strive to continue to make AIYF a truly diverse and culturally exciting and enriching event. Once again we present a fantastic showcase of talent of the highest quality from both local and international performers, across many art forms. We welcome some returning companies and new faces, each bringing their hard work and unique performances to the festival, to share, to present and most of all to entertain. This year we are proud to introduce our first ever Augmented Reality AIYF design. With an ever increasing drive for all things digital, we have embraced this new technology to help attract a wider range of people to the festival through our online interactive brochure and information, while not forgetting the importance of the printed material as well. Please follow the information on page 4 to find out how it all works, but it basically involves downloading the required app on your smartphone and scanning a piece of AIYF marketing material to make the magic happen. For AIYF 2015 we have once again set out a wide ranging programme of performances and events designed to bring a fantastic choice of activity to Aberdeen city and, through our Extended Festival, to the wider North-east. This year we are again working with many cultural partners from across the city to present international collaborations, local projects as well as showcasing some of the UK’s best young professional performers in Chamber, Jazz, Contemporary and Traditional music as part of our “Spotlight Series.”
The international participation is as strong as ever, as you’ll see from this year’s diverse programme, as we welcome performers travelling from China, Canada, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Russia, Jordan, Hong Kong and many more. There are orchestras, aerial dance, contemporary dance, traditional music and dance, theatre, musical theatre, jazz and world music as part of the offering. AIYF is not just a summer organisation and we have been busy throughout the year working on community projects and being part of collective initiatives designed to enhance the profile and offer of cultural activity across the city. We start the 2015 festival with a wonderful community opera production, Noye’s Fludde, and are also presenting community dance and creative play projects as well as our schools visual art and design exhibition that can be seen in Seventeen Gallery on Belmont Street. This year round participation and work of the AIYF staff also includes involvement in Aberdeen Festivals and ABpositive, with both projects dedicated to enhancing the opportunities for participation in arts and cultural activity for artists, people of the North-east and visitors. Please support the young people that work so hard to bring you this high quality and diverse programme of performance and events packed full of energy. Try out the new digital app and share with your family, friends and colleagues. Thank you for supporting AIYF and have a great festival.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 04 Box Office Information
Box Office Information Tickets for shows in Aberdeen and a selection of shows outside the city are available through Aberdeen Box Office. Online
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
Telephone 01224 641 122 (Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 6pm) In person HMT or Music Hall Box Office (Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 6pm)
BOOKING FEES Booking fees are applicable when buying tickets for most of the AIYF Festival shows. The normal charge . is 10% booking fee per ticket added to the price of . the ticket at the point of purchase. This fee is applied to cover box office administrative costs. Please check at the point of purchase for booking fee costs.
TICKET DISCOUNTS For events in Aberdeen, we are pleased to offer discounts on full price tickets to under 16s, full-time students, registered unemployed, over 60s and Friends of the Festival. For individual show discounts available please see daily listings.
SPECIAL OFFERS We are pleased to offer multi-ticket discounts for the majority of performances taking place during the 2015 festival. Family Tickets & Festival Pass Family tickets are available for any of the £6 shows. Family Pass:
£20 for a family of four (must include at least one child)
Festival Pass:
4 shows – £20 (saving £4) 8 shows – £38 (saving £10) 10 shows – £45 (saving £15) 20 shows – £75 (saving £45)
Group Discounts Groups of 8 people get £2 off standard rate tickets; Groups of 15 or more get 1 free ticket for every 15 tickets purchased. Accord Card AIYF are members of the Accord Card scheme for Aberdeen residents. For full information go to www.accordaberdeen.co.uk Extended Festival Tickets Tickets for these shows are available directly from the venue or local outlets. Please contact the venue or consult the festival website for more information.
To view the Festival Programme: 1/ Download the LAYAR App 2/ S can any AIYF poster, brochure or postcard 3/ V iew the full digital Festival Brochure and website
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
SCAN THE FRONT PAGE WITH LAYAR APP
24 JUL - 01 AUG Aberdeen City Venues 05
Aberdeen City Venues 1
6
2
7 4
Bon-Accord Shopping Centre St. Nicholas Shopping Centre
1 Union Terrace Gardens
Aberdeen Town House
8
3
His Majesty’s Theatre (HMT). Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1GL Music Hall . Union Street, AB10 1QS
3 Beach Ballroom .
Beach Promenade, AB24 5NR 4 Aberdeen Arts Centre &
Theatre – (ACT Aberdeen) . 33 King Street, AB24 5AA 5 T he Sanctuary at Queen’s
Cross Church . Albyn Place, AB10 1YN
6 T he Blue Lamp.
Trinity Shopping Centre
Aberdeen Station
121 Gallowgate, AB25 1BU
UNION SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE & BUS STATION
7 The Lemon Tree.
5 West North Street, AB24 5AT
8 Seventeen.
17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JR
All information in this guide is correct at the time of printing. To confirm details please contact the festival office or visit www.aiyf.org The Festival reserves the right to make changes to the programme. For details of all other AIYF venues, please visit our website: www.aiyf.org
Platinum Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Supporters and Funders
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Principal Supporters
Programme designed and created by APS Group Scotland
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 06 Festival Programme Performances
Festival Programme by Day PRE-FESTIVAL SHOW: THURSDAY, 23RD JULY
Theatre Mitchell School of Drama TAMING OF THE SHREW VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6 MSD presents a brand new version of one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Taming of the Shrew. When two wealthy sisters are to be married off, the beautiful Bianca has no shortage of suitors – but who would choose the wild, ill-tempered Katherina? Gold-digging Petruchio arrives, the first man to match her quick wits and mood swings. As suitors disguise themselves and servants run havoc, expect mayhem and madness in this comedy transported to the 1960s.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Opera Noye’s Fludde VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 8pm COST: £6 Working with communities from around the University of Aberdeen and across the city the Community Opera Project run by AIYF offers people the chance to be part of a truly unique operatic production, rehearsing and performing alongside professionals. Written in 1958 this work by Benjamin Britten, based on the story of Noah’s Ark, was designed to be produced with a community cast in a non-theatre venue.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Festival Programme Performances 07
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Music & Dance Garthdee International Concert
Theatre Mitchell School of Drama
COASTLINE (CANADA), TORONTO ALL STARS (CANADA), DOR-CORINA ANDRIAN (ROMANIA)
TAMING OF THE SHREW
VENUE: Inchgarth Community Centre, Garthdee TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6
VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6
Participants are coming from all corners of the globe to perform at Garthdee this summer, with an exciting celebration of dance and music. With a truly diverse range of groups, expect entertaining numbers on steelpans from Toronto All Stars, eclectic performances from soloist dancer Corina Andrian and traditional music from Coastline.
MSD presents a brand new version of one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Taming of the Shrew. When two wealthy sisters are to be married off, the beautiful Bianca has no shortage of suitors – but who would choose the wild, ill-tempered Katherina? Gold-digging Petruchio arrives, the first man to match her quick wits and mood swings. As suitors disguise themselves and servants run havoc, expect mayhem and madness in this comedy transported to the 1960s.
YOUNG PROGRAMMERS DAY AT THE LEMON TREE
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Shmu Rap Music Project with AIYF VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: Doors 8.30pm COST: £5 Organised by young promoters from SHMU’s Rap Music Project, this show will bring together rap/ hip-hop artists from around the country for what promises to be a great night. Full line-up still to be announced, see www.aiyf.org for details in July.
Welcome Ceremony VENUE: Music Hall TIME: 11am COST: £1 (Free to Friends of AIYF) AIYF’s grand opening ceremony extends a warm welcome to our talented young performers taking part in this year’s festival, from the UK and the rest of the world. Countries featured this year include Canada, Morocco, China, Spain and Jordan. The Zurich Academic Orchestra will be playing the national anthems of each participating nation, to welcome them officially to Aberdeen and AIYF.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Festival in the City VENUE: City Centre TIME: 1pm-4pm COST: Free Aberdeen city centre will come alive with a full schedule of performances from a range of our international and local groups. Outdoor stages and will host dancers, traditional music, song and theatre groups from all corners of the globe. The full range of entertainment on offer is suitable for all ages and tastes, so come along and see what AIYF is offering this year, and experience the festival buzz for free! Sponsored by BP
Opera Noye’s Fludde VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 4pm + 8pm COST: £6 Working with communities from around the University of Aberdeen and across the city the Community Opera Project run by AIYF offers people the chance to be part of a truly unique operatic production, rehearsing and performing alongside professionals. Written in 1958 this work by Benjamin Britten, based on the story of Noah’s Ark, was designed to be produced with a community cast in a non-theatre venue.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 08 Festival Programme Performances
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Theatre Western Arts University Ambassadors (USA)
Classical Concert Zurich Academic Orchestra (Switzerland)
BLAZING TIDES
VENUE: Music Hall TIME: 7.30pm COST: £11-16.50
VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 Visiting AIYF for the third time, this dynamic theatre group will wow audiences with their unique approach to theatre, combining circus acts, singing, dancing and acting. Through this creative combination Blazing Tides tells the story of the struggle between the fire and water for supremacy of the elements.
With their highly technical and musical standard, this group of 70 student and staff musicians are considered one of the best orchestras in Switzerland. Constantly renewing their musical repertoire, they strive to promote young, promising soloists. This evening they will be performing Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony, along with Rachmaninov’s ‘The Rock’ Op. 7, conducted by Lukas Meister.
APA in association with AIYF present Freshly Squeezed WITH THE CLIFTONS, THE FLORIDA STANLEY, DAMN SON JAM VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: Doors 8.30pm COST: £6 Headlining the concert are The Cliftons, an Indie/Britpop four piece group from Aberdeen, who have previously been recognised as SHMU Band of the Week. Formed in 2014, the group have performed in a number of venues, aiming to generate audiences of young people from across the city. Also performing will be The Florida Stanley and Damn Son Jam
SATURDAY, JULY 25
SUNDAY, JULY 26
Theatre Mitchell School of Drama
Choral Concert
TAMING OF THE SHREW VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6 MSD presents a brand new version of one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Taming of the Shrew. When two wealthy sisters are to be married off, the beautiful Bianca has no shortage of suitors – but who would choose the wild, ill-tempered Katherina? Gold-digging Petruchio arrives, the first man to match her quick wits and mood swings. As suitors disguise themselves and servants run havoc, expect mayhem and madness in this comedy transported to the 1960s.
STORD UNGDOMSKOR (NORWAY) VENUE: Hilton High Church TIME: 3pm COST: £6 Enjoy an afternoon concert from this talented all-girls choir performing a varied repertoire of Norwegian folk music, musical theatre and familiar songs. This is a welcome return to AIYF for this group who are always in good voice whether singing classical songs or hits from Abba.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Festival Programme Performances 09
SUNDAY, JULY 26
Theatre Western Arts University Ambassadors (USA)
Spotlight Series
BLAZING TIDES
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 7.30pm COST: £9/6
VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 3pm + 7.30pm COST: £6 Visiting AIYF for the third time, this dynamic theatre group will wow audiences with their unique approach to theatre, combining circus acts, singing, dancing and acting. Through this creative combination Blazing Tides tells the story of the struggle between the fire and water for supremacy of the elements.
Young Programmers Day at the Lemon Tree VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: TBC COST: TBC This event sees local young people, aged 16 – 25, programme a day of activity at the Lemon Tree. Using all the spaces in the venue the group take responsibility for all the shows and activity, in a programme that will showcase local and national talent. Check out the AIYF website for specific programme details.
Dance Ulysses Dance Company (Australia) A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 Led by acclaimed choreographer Jane Pirani, Ulysses will perform an original adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set to Mendelssohn’s music. Returning to the festival for their first visits since 1994 and 1998, the current company have had significant input into the creative process of staging this production.
LUCY HALL (SOPRANO) GAVIN ROBERTS (PIANO)
Lucy and Gavin are recipients of the much sought after Oxford Leider Young Artists Award, a prize given to only a few duos each year to support them throughout a concert series. Expect to hear an enchanting range of music including songs from Strauss and Brahms and other wonderful composers.
MONDAY, JULY 27
Theatre Castlegate Theatre Company (Scotland) LULACH VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6 Lulach, a new play penned by Barry Donaldson is a followon tale from the classic Shakespeare play. The daughter of Macbeth, Lulach is the central character in a story exploring the themes of nationalism, power, war and gender. This tense and emotive production is the first participation in AIYF for this new and exciting local youth company.
Up Close and Musical NORTH EAST OF SCOTLAND MUSIC SCHOOL (NESMS) VENUE: Ferryhill Church TIME: 11am COST: £6 Young talented players from Scotland’s most northerly school for advanced music tuition come together for a dynamic performance of their work, in this beautiful venue.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 10 Festival Programme Performances
MONDAY, JULY 27
Up Close and Musical
Spotlight Series
THE ROMANYCHEV BROTHERS (RUSSIA)
AEON DUO (FINLAND, MEXICO)
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 1pm COST: £6
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 7.30pm COST: £9/6
Russian brothers Michael and Fedor will be performing both traditional Russian music as well as classical pieces in the wonderful surroundings of Queen’s Cross Church.
Join the Aeon Duo, Essi Kiiski (Finland) and Eduardo Andrade (Mexico) for an evening of classical music. Aeon’s repertoire ranges from traditional classical works, folk music and pieces composed by Andrade himself.
MONDAY, JULY 27
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Classical Concert Coastline & North East Folk Collective
Up Close and Musical
VENUE: Blue Lamp TIME: 8pm COST: £9/6 With a range of instruments Coastline take influences from a number of different genres including classical, jazz and folk music. The group’s vitality and enthusiasm are guaranteed to entertain the audience, as they push the genre boundaries with their music. They will be joined by familiar faces at AIYF, North East Folk Collective who will be playing a collection of traditional tunes.
ABERDEEN MUSIC FESTIVAL (SCOTLAND) VENUE: St Mary’s Church TIME: 3pm COST: £6 This concert features some of the best participants from this year’s Aberdeen and North-East of Scotland’s Music Festival. With a wonderful array of very talented local performers, Aberdeen’s oldest festival began life in 1909. Including music, drama and dance the Festival continues to support the artistic development of young people across the region. The concerts will draw performers from across a number of music genres.
Up Close and Musical
Up Close and Musical
BEIJING NO.20 HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS (CHINA)
SIROCCO WINDS (SCOTLAND)
VENUE: Holburn West TIME: 11am COST: £6 Join the Beijing No.20 High School Chorus as they sing a varied repertoire of classical, musical theatre and contemporary pieces.
VENUE: Cults Parish Church TIME: 2pm COST: £6 Formed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2012, this wind ensemble group will be performing a varied repertoire of familiar chamber music, as well as their own arrangements. The participation of Sirocco Winds is in partnership with Live Music Now.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Festival Programme Performances
11
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Theatre YouAreNotTwo (Russia) WAITING FOR GODOT VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 2pm COST: £6 This small Russian Theatre group stage their very own interpretation of one of Samuel Beckett’s most famous works. The play tells the story of two men, Vladimir and Estragon, who meet and discover they are both waiting for the same man, Godot. Events unfold and as they wait, encounters with others put Godot’s existence into question. They play explores friendship and the idea of supporting others in what are exceptional circumstances.
Theatre Castlegate Theatre Company (Scotland) LULACH VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6 Lulach, a new play penned by Barry Donaldson is a follow-on tale from the classic Shakespeare play. The daughter of Macbeth, Lulach is the central character in a story exploring the themes of nationalism, power, war and gender. This tense and emotive production is the first participation in AIYF for this new and exciting local youth company.
Dance Ulysses Dance Company (Australia) A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 Led by acclaimed choreographer Jane Pirani, Ulysses will perform an original adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, accompanied by the music of Felix Mendelssohn. Returning to the festival for their first visits since 1994 and 1998, the current company have had significant input into the creative process of staging this production.
Evening of World Music
Celebration of Dance
FEATURING TORONTO ALL STARS, BEIJING NO.20 HIGH SCHOOL BRASS BAND, WORLD MUSIC PROGRAM
FUSION YOUTH DANCE COMPANY, ELBRUS, EDGE ‘N’ POINTE, KRESALA, CORINA ANDRIAN - DOR.
VENUE: Music Hall TIME: 7.30pm COST: £11-16.50
VENUE: Beach Ballroom TIME: 7.30pm COST: £9/6
Come along for an evening of music from around the world. Featuring World Music Program playing on traditional African marimbas, the Beijing No.20 High School with a varied repertoire of big band numbers, and AIYF regulars Toronto All Stars playing on traditional steelpans.
Come along and experience a variety of dance styles from our international groups at one of Aberdeen’s most iconic venues, the Beach Ballroom.
Sponsored by
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 12 Festival Programme Performances
TUESDAY, JULY 28
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Jazz Blackburn with Darwen Big Band
Up Close and Musical: Norman Cooper Chamber Music Competition
VENUE: Blue Lamp TIME: 8pm COST: £9/6
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 2pm COST: £6
Returning to AIYF this year, Blackburn with Darwen Big Band promises to deliver a lively evening of jazz music. With a contemporary twist on the classics, they will be led by their conductor and acclaimed jazz musician, Paul J Rigby.
With a range of orchestras and classical music groups participating in this year’s festival, the competition is open to any chamber ensemble group, as well as local young musicians who currently live and study in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire or Moray. For information on how to enter, please visit www.aiyf.org.
Theatre DAAC (Morocco)
Theatre YouAreNotTwo (Russia)
BLACK & WHITE
WAITING FOR GODOT
VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6
VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 10am + 2pm COST: £6
Black and White was written and directed by a member of the group, Jamal Taamart, and tells the story of two people competing for the attention of one woman. A comedy drama, the play explores the subjects of racial equality, love, deception and brotherhood.
This student Russian Theatre group stage their very own interpretation of one of Samuel Beckett’s most famous works. The play tells the story of two men, Vladimir and Estragon, who are both waiting for the same thing, Godot. As they wait, events unfold and encounters happen with others. The play explores friendship and the meaning of existence.
AIYF Choral Concert
International Dance Evening
BEIJING NO.20 HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS (CHINA), THE REIGATE SCHOOL (ENGLAND), NYCOS EDINBURGH REGIONAL CHOIR (SCOTLAND) STORD UNGDOMSKOR (NORWAY)
VENUE: Aberdeen International School TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6
VENUE: Music Hall TIME: 7.30pm COST: £11-16.50 Four of AIYF’s participating companies will be coming together for a celebration of song at one of Aberdeen’s most celebrated city centre venues.
Bringing together both traditional and contemporary dance styles, this performance showcases the range of dance groups from around the world participating in this year’s festival. Expect traditional Basque dances from Kresala Dance Troupe, and a range of contemporary pieces from Ulysses and solo performer Corina Andrian (Dor).
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Festival Programme Performances 13
THURSDAY, JULY 30
Up Close and Musical
Up Close and Musical
NYCOS EDINBURGH AREA CHOIR (SCOTLAND)
AEON DUO (FINLAND, MEXICO)
VENUE: Craigiebuckler Church TIME: 11am COST: £6 The NYCoS Edinburgh Area choir will be returning to AIYF this year, performing a varied repertoire of contemporary, classical and musical theatre numbers at this inspiring venue. The choir will be led by their musical director, Mark Evans.
The Chamber Music Project VENUE: Ferryhill Parish Church TIME: 1pm COST: £6 Join the Creswell Trio and Zengo Trio as they end their week of collaborative work with the Hebrides Ensemble. A significant driver of the development of Chamber Music in Scotland, the Hebrides Ensemble will also be performing at this lovely venue.
VENUE: Newton Dee Pheonix Theatre TIME: 1.15pm COST: £6 Join this talented duo for an afternoon of classical music. Having met while studying at London’s Royal College of Music, Essi and Eduardo will be performing familiar pieces as well as some of Eduardo’s own compostions.
Dance AIYF International Dance Gala VENUE: His Majesty’s Theatre TIME: 7.30pm COST: £11-23 The Dance Gala is AIYF’s annual showcase of international dance. This year’s gala will feature ballet, traditional dance from the Basque region, Jordan and Africa and contemporary dance from the USA, Australia, Scotland, Romania and Italy making this an exciting and dynamic event. Sponsored by
Theatre Youth Music Theatre (UK) VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 The Coorie Cave follows the story of a strange self-contained community that has lived on the outskirts of the sinking marshes for the past hundred years. They are discovered by a group of young people from a local care home and through the interaction of the two groups we discover new ways to address their social and emotional problems.
Music Kiryat Ono Youth Concert Band (Israel) VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 7.30pm COST: £9/6 Continuing the tradition of high quality concert bands we welcome another returning company to AIYF. Led by acclaimed conductor Guy Feder, the Kiryat Ono Youth Concert band will be performing both traditional Israeli music and classical pieces as part of a full concert programme.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 14 Festival Programme Performances
THURSDAY, JULY 30
Theatre DAAC (Morocco) BLACK & WHITE VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: TBC Black and White was written and directed by a member of the group, Jamal Taamart, and tells the story of two people competing for the attention of one woman. A comedy-drama, the play explores the subjects of racial equality, love, deception and brotherhood.
Spotlight Series Jonathan Silk Quintet (Scotland) VENUE: Blue Lamp TIME: 8pm COST: £9/6 The recently formed Jonathan Silk Quintet is a contemporary project exploring the use of groove and sound within a jazz context. This double tenor quintet features some of Birmingham’s finest improvising musicians. Their versatile performance style is both entertaining and high energy, with a focus on improvisation.
Film Screening: A Dance Explosion (Goat Media) VENUE: The Belmont Filmhouse TIME: 11am COST: Free but ticketed, available at the venue (The Belmont Filmhouse, 49 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JS) Royston Maldoom and Tamara McLorg have forged international reputations working in dance with disadvantaged people across the world. The Four Seasons project, as part of AIYF 2014, brought them back to together to work in Scotland for the first time in 30 years. This documentary weaves the story of this project together with reflections of those involved in the ‘dance explosion’ they began in Scotland.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
Up Close and Musical
Splore, Young SC&T
NESMS (NORTH EAST OF SCOTLAND MUSIC SCHOOL)
VENUE: University of Aberdeen, Macrobert Building TIME: 3pm COST: FREE
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 3pm COST: £6
Young players showcase what they have worked on throughout AIYF’s Summer Courses, which promises to be a great celebration of traditional Scottish music.The course was led by award winning fiddler Gillian Frame, along with Sharon Hassan who runs Gadie Music and the North East Folk Collective. Further support comes from past Splore participant and 2010 Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Daniel Thorpe.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, NESMS continues to mentor and provide the highest quality tuition to young musicians across the North-east. Join a selection of their students for an evening of music from a variety of genres including classical, folk and contemporary.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Festival Programme Performances 15
FRIDAY, JULY 31
Project-Y (Y-Dance) VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: 7pm COST: £6 Project-Y is a company brought together each year by Y-Dance, Scotland’s contemporary dance development organisation, made up of young dancers from across Scotland. Working with established professional chorographers, the company tour high-quality new work each summer. Part of the performance will feature the Project-Y Aberdeen Foundation Course dancers who have been creating an exciting and original piece of work over the previous week.
Theatre Youth Music Theatre VENUE: ACT Aberdeen TIME: 2.30pm + 7.30pm COST: £6 The Coorie Cave follows the story of a strange self-contained community that has lived on the outskirts of the sinking marshes for the past hundred years. They are discovered by a group of young people from a local care home and through the interaction of the two groups we discover new ways to address their social and emotional problems.
Spotlight Series Nicholas Harris - Piano
Spotlight Series Traditional Music Concert
VENUE: Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary TIME: 7.30pm COST: £9/6
ROUTES STRING QUARTET AND AIYF CÈÒL MÒR BIG BAND (SCOTLAND)
Award-winning concert pianist Nicholas Harris will be performing at AIYF, bringing with him a wealth of experience and learning to the festival, having spent time at the Amsterdam Conservatory and The Yehudi Menuhin School in London.
VENUE: Lemon Tree TIME: doors 8.30pm COST: £9/6 Routes are a new professional ensemble who play contemporary arrangements of traditional tunes in a classical quartet set-up. Sharing the evening will be the AIYF Cèol Mòr Big Band, the annual showcase band for talented young musicians, now in its tenth year, led by composer Hamish Napier.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
Up Close and Musical
AIYF International Variety Gala
OGSTON MUSIC PRIZE WINNERS
VENUE: His Majesty’s Theatre TIME: 2.30pm + 7.30pm COST: Matinee £11-19 Evening £13-26
VENUE: Midstocket Church TIME: 11am COST: £6 This concert features the winners of the highlyregarded Ogston Music Prize, organised by the University of Aberdeen each year. Previous winners of the prize have gone on to have extremely successful and varied careers in music. The concert will feature this year’s joint winners, percussionist Ellen Smith and violinist Alison Ewan.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events of AIYF, the Variety Gala brings together a wonderful selection of music, dance, song and theatre from the past nine days of the festival. Featuring a variety of international talented young performers, the Variety Gala 2015 will include groups from Scotland, Russia, Norway, England, Spain, Australia, Germany, Jordan, Hong Kong and Canada. Sponsored by
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 16 Extended Festival
Extended Festival by Venue Angus Webster Theatre, Arbroath MONDAY, JULY 27
Elbrus (Jordan), Edge ‘n’ Pointe (Hong Kong), Zaccho Youth Dance (USA) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Buy online from www.webstertheatre.co.uk or T: 01241 435800 A celebration of dance featuring beautiful contemporary ballet from Edge ‘n’ Pointe, who are visiting AIYF for the first time in their first tour outside Asia. Returning to the festival, Elbrus Circassian Dance Troupe will be performing Jordanian traditional dance, with exquisitely designed traditional costumes. And newcomers Zaccho Youth Dance Company amaze with their aerial choreography.
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Classical Concert ZURICH ACADEMIC ORCHESTRA (SWITZERLAND) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Buy online from www.webstertheatre.co.uk or T: 01241 435800 Led by conductor Lukas Meister, the orchestra will be performing Rachmaninov’s 2nd symphony along with Rachmaninov’s ‘The Rock’ op.7. Made up of students and staff from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich, they are considered to be among one of the best amateur orchestras in Switzerland.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Anouaze (Ivory Coast) World Music Program (Canada), Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Buy online from www.webstertheatre.co.uk or T: 01241 435800 An evening of world music with Canadian group World Music Program playing on traditional African Marimbas. They will be joined by performers taking part in the Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail for 2015, an initiative which supports young people aged 16-25 in playing traditional music when they have left school. African dance company Anouaze will be performing traditional dance which has evolved and uses traditional rhythms and instruments from a number of African nations and territories including Guinea, Mali and their home the Ivory Coast. DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Extended Festival 17
Brechin Cathedral, Brechin FRIDAY, JULY 31
Stord Ungdomskor (Norway) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from: Cathedral office, 6 Church Street T: 01356 629 360 between 9.30am-12pm Returning to AIYF this year, all-girls choir Stord Ungdomskor will entertain audiences with their varied repertoire of traditional Norwegian folk music, songs from the shows and some familiar favourites in this iconic venue.
South Aberdeenshire Stonehaven Town Hall THURSDAY, JULY 30
The Reigate School (England), Toronto All Stars (Canada), Coastline (Canada), Blackburn with Darwen Big Band (England) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Tickets available from Stonehaven Tourist Office, Ma Simpsons, any Stonehaven Rotarian or Alastair Morgan T: 07740774687 These four different groups are sure to keep you on your toes! Canadian ensemble Coastline will bring traditional music with a contemporary twist, while Blackburn with Darwen Big Band entertain audiences with their take of jazz favourites. The Toronto All Stars bring steelpan music to life, while the Reigate School choir will charm the audience with a varied repertoire of musical theatre, contemporary and classical favourites.
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Laurencekirk THURSDAY, JULY 30
Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail (Scotland) TIME: 2-4pm COST: Free In this outdoor space, join the Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail as they perform a range of traditional music on the Aberdeen leg of their summer tour.
Dickson Hall, Laurencekirk THURSDAY, JULY 30
Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Young traditional musicians from across Scotland bring their expertly crafted range of tunes to the Salmon Bothy this summer. This show promises to be an entertaining mix of both traditional and contemporary folk music, making it an enjoyable show for all ages.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 18 Extended Festival
West Aberdeenshire Braemar Village Hall THURSDAY, JULY 23
Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/6 Performers from this year’s Ceilidh Trail take to the stage in a celebration of traditional music. Fèis Rois gives young musicians aged 16-25 the chance to enhance their performance skills after they leave school.
Victoria Hall, Ballater SUNDAY, JULY 26
Coastline (Canada) TIME: 3pm COST: TBC, available from 46 Bridge Street or BRD Box Office T: 01339 755 467 With 10 fiddles, 2 cellos, 2 guitars and a piano, Coastline will be performing a diverse and exciting repertoire at AIYF this year. Playing traditional, original and contemporary fiddle tunes from all around the world, the ensemble group always tries to push the boundaries with their arrangements.
Woodend Barn, Banchory SUNDAY, JULY 26
Edge ‘n’ Pointe (Hong Kong), Kresala Circassian Dance Troupe (Spain) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 Available from: www.woodendbarn.com or T: 01330 825 431 Outstanding international dance groups will perform an exciting mix of contemporary ballet and traditional dance from the Basque region.
MONDAY, JULY 27
DAAC (Morocco) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £6 Available from: www.woodendbarn.com or T: 01330 825 431 Black and White was written and directed by a member of the group, Jamal Taamart, and tells the story of two people competing for the attention of one woman. A comedy drama, the play explores the subjects of racial equality, love, deception and brotherhood.
Acorn Centre, Inverurie West Church MONDAY, JULY 27
Kiryat Ono Youth Concert Band (Israel) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from the venue and www.boxofficeaberdeen.com Kiryat Ono will be led by their musical director Guy Fedor, who also regularly leads the Israel Chamber Orchestra. They will be performing a collection of traditional Israeli music as well as classical arrangements.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Extended Festival 19
Westhill Trinity Church WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Toronto All Stars (Canada) Blackburn with Darwen Big Band (England), Western Arts University Ambassadors (USA) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from the Church office during the week and after Sunday services: Westhill Drive, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB32 6FY Three outstanding international groups come together in a celebration of musical theatre and drama, contemporary jazz and traditional steelpan music.
Inverurie Town Hall WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Beijing No.20 High School Brass Band (China) Fusion Youth Dance Company (Scotland) Elbrus (Jordan), Coastline (Canada) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from: www.boxofficeaberdeen.com and on the door This concert brings together big band music from Beijing’s No.20 Middle School, as well as traditional tunes from Coastline on a range of instruments. Aberdeen-based group Fusion Youth Dance Company will be performing contemporary dance pieces, while Elbrus Dance Troupe will be showing us traditional dances from Jordan in beautifully decorated and elaborate costumes.
Peterculter Parish Church THURSDAY, JULY 30
Stord Ungdomskor (Norway) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Stord Ungdomskor will entertain audiences with their varied repertoire of traditional Norwegian folk music, songs from the shows and some familiar favourites. The concert will be introduced by the Shell Choir, comprised of staff from one of AIYF’s key sponsors.
Auld Lirk, Clatt THURSDAY, JULY 30
Routes String Quartet (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: TBC This dynamic string group from Glasgow will be performing traditional music with a contemporary twist. Having met while studying in the city, the group are currently working on an album which will be released early in 2016.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 20 Extended Festival
West Aberdeenshire (continued) Banchory West Church FRIDAY, JULY 31
Blackburn With Darwen Big Band (England) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £7/5. Available from: Church Office T: 01330 822006 or office@ banchorywestchurch.com, Banchory Library or Jenny Smith T: 01330 820253 E: smithaj007@ gmail.com and on the door Blackburn with Darwen Big Band return to AIYF this year, promising to deliver a lively evening of jazz music. With a contemporary twist on the classic, they will be led by their conductor Paul J Rigby.
Deeside Theatre, Aboyne FRIDAY, JULY 31
Romanychev Brothers (Russia) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £5, free for under 16’s. Available from the Deeside Theatre T: 01339 886 222 or www.boxofficeaberdeen.com Brothers Michael and Fedor have studied at St Petersburg, and have performed together from an early age. They will be playing both traditional Russian music as well as more familiar classical arrangements.
Kemnay Village Hall, Kemnay FRIDAY, JULY 31
Toronto All Stars (Canada) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £7/5 Tickets available from Kemnay Library T: 01467 643 906 Playing on traditional Caribbean steel pans , join AIYF regulars the Toronto All Stars as they entertain the audience with a varied musical repertoire of jazz, calypso, pop and contemporary tunes.
St Margaret’s Church, Braemar FRIDAY, JULY 31
Kiryat Ono Youth Concert Band (Israel) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from the Braemar Pharmacy or by emailing brian.j.wood@ btinternet.com Kiryat Ono will be led by their musical director Guy Fedor, who also regularly leads the Israel Chamber Orchestra. They will be performing a collection of traditional Israeli music as well as classical arrangements. with a varied musical repertoire of jazz, calypso, pop and contemporary tunes.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Extended Festival 21
North Aberdeenshire Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh MONDAY, JULY 27
Beijing No.20 High School Brass Band & [Chorus] (China), Nkrabea Dance Ensemble (Ghana) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from the venue Join these three international groups for a celebration of music, big band favourites and traditional dance.
Salmon Bothy, Portsoy TUESDAY, JULY 28
Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Young traditional musicians from across Scotland bring their expertly crafted range of tunes to the Salmon Bothy this summer. This show promises to be an entertaining mix of both traditional and contemporary folk music, making it an enjoyable show for all ages.
Melville Hall, Tarves TUESDAY, JULY 28
NYCoS Edinburgh Area Choir (Scotland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 The National Youth Choir of Scotland provides opportunities to over 2,000 young people across Scotland with four National Choirs and a growing network of 15 area choirs. The NYCoS Edinburgh Choir began in 1998 and is part of the area choir network providing unique opportunities at all levels of cultural and educational life in Scotland. Mark Evans began directing the NYCoS Edinburgh Area Choir in 2005 and is currently the Head of the music school at Douglas Academy in Glasgow.
Duff House, Banff FRIDAY, JULY 31
Aeon Duo (Mexico, Finland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from the venue or Alastair Mason: 14 Old Castlegate, Banff AB45 1DE T: 01261 812941 E: alistair.mason@btinternet.com The Aeon duo has been performing together since 2013, when Essi Kiiski (violin) and Eduardo Andrade (composer and pianist) began studies at the Royal College of Music in London. They will be performing both classical arrangements, as well as Eduardo’s own compositions.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 22 Extended Festival by Venue
Moray St. Giles’ and St. Columba Church, Elgin SUNDAY, JULY 26
Zurich Academic Orchestra (Switzerland) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 Available from: St. Giles’ and St. Columba, Church, Elgin Led by conductor Lukas Meister, the orchestra will be performing Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony, along with Rachmaninov’s ‘The Rock’ Op. 7. Made up of students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich, they are considered to be among one of the best amateur orchestras in Switzerland.
St Margaret’s Church, Aberlour TUESDAY, JULY 28
Nkrabea Dance Ensemble (Ghana) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8/5 One of Ghana’s most renowned dance ensembles brings traditional African dance to AIYF. The group is committed to combining dance, music and acrobatics to entertain audiences around the world.
Gordon Chapel, Fochabers THURSDAY, JULY 30
Romanychev Brothers (Russia) TIME: 7.30pm COST: £8, free for under 16s, available from Christie’s Chemist, Fochabers or on the door. For more information T: 01542 833 213 Brothers Michael (Balalaika & Violin) and Fedor (Piano) have performed together from an early age. Having both attended the Music School in St Petersburg, Fedor is now continuing his studies at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. They will be performing both classical arrangements and traditional Russian folk music.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG B on a T Competition 23
B on a T Competition Sponsored by Shell
Following the success of the past two ‘B on the T’ competitions, AIYF has once again been supported by Shell to challenge young people from Primary and Secondary schools across Aberdeen City and Shire . to design the front of the Festival t-shirts for 2015. The t-shirts will be worn by around 1,000 international, national and local participants, as well as AIYF participants during this year’s Festival. AIYF approached enthusiastic young artists aged 5 to 17 from across the North-east of Scotland, and hundreds of entries were received from schools ranging from Woodside to Kinninmonth. The winner was chosen by our panel of judges from Shell, AIYF and Aberdeen-based artists Katarína Chomová and Chris Wells, who had the challenging task of choosing the winning design from a fantastic selection of entries. Some lucky pupils also received workshops from Katarína Chomová, who visited some schools to inspire young people with their designs, encouraging them to be more creative in their own work. This year the winning entry was designed by Ellie Ong, age 8 from Braehead Primary School.
The judges felt that her design captured the playful and fun nature of AIYF, and highlighted the festival’s international theme. Ellie will see her design on every t-shirt this summer during the festival, worn by AIYF participants. There were five runners up in the competition, who were Amy Middleton (P.7, Kelland Primary School), Kecia Frazer (P.7, Strathburn Primary School), Abbie Freeman (S.1, Kemnay Academy), Rebecca Dargie, (P.7, Mile End School) and Susannah Grant (P.7, Mile End School). The winners and some of the best entries from the competition will be exhibited during July in the exhibition space at Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JR.
Ellie Ong Braehead Primary School T-shirt Winner
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 24 Choirs
Choirs NORWAY
SCOTLAND
Stord Ungdomskor Girls Choir
NYCoS Edinburgh Regional Choir
Norwegian all girls’ choir Stord Ungdomskor are returning to AIYF this year for their first visit since 2011. Established in 1980 by conductor Reidun Hagened, the group showcases a mixture of different styles and genres of music, ranging from the traditional and classical to folkloric. Choir members today are just as passionate about their singing as the members that have gone before them, and the current group is made up of 18 girls ranging in age from 14-20. Over the years the choir has been awarded several prizes in both national and international choir competitions, and we are delighted they have chosen to return to AIYF this year.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland provides opportunities to over 2,000 young people across Scotland with four National Choirs and a growing network of 15 area choirs. The NYCoS Edinburgh Choir began in 1998 and is part of the area choir network providing unique opportunities at all levels of cultural and educational life in Scotland. Mark Evans began directing the NYCoS Edinburgh Area Choir in 2005 and is currently the Head of the music school at Douglas Academy in Glasgow.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Choirs 25
ENGLAND
CHINA
The Reigate School
Beijing No.20 High School Chorus
The Reigate School Choir has been running for the past four years, with young performers ranging in age from 11-16, exploring a varied repertoire of pop, jazz, classical and world music. The choir began performing in schools and local concerts, and in the past year have ventured further, performing at the SSE Wembley Arena and the Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard in London. Victoria Eacott has directed the choir since 2013, with support from accompanist Amy-Beth Smith. The 30-strong ensemble has also performed collaboratively with the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, providing the vocals for musical theatre productions over the past three years. In 2013 the choir were awarded a Merit Star at the Reigate and Redhill Music & Drama Festival, which they are entering again this year. Their highly anticipated visit to AIYF this summer will be their first official ‘tour’ outside Surrey.
Established in 1986, the current Beijing No.20 High School choir has around 80 members, with an average age of 13. Currently led by conductor Sang Tiantian, the choir have been involved in a number of competitions and events worldwide including both Florence and St Petersburg’s Youth Music Festivals. They have also been involved in local projects in Beijing including community performances and the 50th anniversary celebrations of the No. 20 Beijing High School. The choir brings a varied repertoire to AIYF including musical theatre, classical and contemporary pieces.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 26 Dance
Dance DanzXchange - Twinning project WITH FUSION YOUTH DANCE COMPANY (ABERDEEN) AND DANCEWORXXX YOUTH COMPANY (REGENSBURG) This Twinning project between the local Citymoves based Fusion Youth Dance Company and the youth dance partners (and previous AIYF participants) from Aberdeen’s twin city Regensburg started life as a conversation between the respective company choreographers in 2014. The project has now grown and developed to a full collaboration between the two companies. In January, conversations between the dancers from both companies started over various digital platforms. The groups exchanged their thoughts and impressions of each other’s cities and also what made them proud about their own city. Over the spring months as the conversations have continued each company has started to create chorography inspired by the information and images. Over the summer the two companies will meet, share ideas and create a joint piece out of the material. This will be premiered at AIYF along with the unique work of each company. Fusion are well-known faces at AIYF and Aberdeen performing regularly in the city including at the Olympic Torch Relay Festival in 2012. They participated in the Commonwealth Games Youth Dance Festival last year and earlier this year the group entertained guests at the Friends of the Festival’s AIYF Fundraising Dinner. DancewORxxx is a company dedicated to the promotion of young talent through providing platforms to work and perform with professional artists and engaging in international partnerships and collaborations. They regularly experiment with different cultural, chorographic styles and performance techniques, and performed at the at Footlights Festival in Munich last summer.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Dance 27
SPAIN
HONG KONG
Kresala Dance Group
Edge ‘n’ Pointe
First established in 1968, the Kresala Basque Dance Group is among the most highly regarded traditional groups of their kind in Spain. They are currently managed by Mikel Oyarzabel, who performed as a dancer at AIYF in his youth. They have participated in a number of festivals and dance galas across Europe alongside companies including the Cullberg Ballet of Stockholm and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. In the Basque Country they have become recognised for their traditional style at a number of key venues including the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastian and the Euskaluna Palace in Bilbao. At this year’s festival the group will strive to bring their traditional dance style to a contemporary audience.
First established in 2013, Edge ‘n’ Pointe was created to give young dancers a chance to express themselves through dance and gain valuable performance experience. Performing around Hong Kong at events including The Youth Arts Foundation Arts in the Park, as well as the Hong Kong White Christmas Street Fair, the group also performed at an International Homecoming Gala Concert in Manila, in the Philippines in 2014. Offering a varied repertoire of contemporary and classical ballet, their participation in AIYF 2015 will mark their first performance outside Asia.
AUSTRALIA
Ulysses Dance Company Ulysses began in 2006 as a performance group for dancers aged 18 and over, and in 2013 opened its doors to talented 11-18 year olds. Led by distinguished choreographer Jane Pirani, all works produced by the company are original and contemporary in style. All Ulysses dancers currently train at the Ann Roberts School of Dance, and at AIYF this year will be performing Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream accompanied by the music of Felix Mendelssohn. The young performers all contribute to the creative process and for this production have learnt how to interpret Shakespearean prose into dance. Ulysses first performed at AIYF in 1994 and again in 1998, and it is a privilege that they are returning with their current company to this year’s festival.
USA
Zaccho Youth Dance Company Since its inception in 2002, Zaccho Youth Dance Company has performed their unique aerial pieces throughout the Bay Area in San Francisco and across the United States. Members aged 9-21 are led by Artistic Director Joanna Haigood, who co-founded the Zaccho Dance Theatre in 1980 and her choreographic work has been commissioned both nationally and internationally. The Dance Theatre provides aerial dance and yoga classes for both young people and adults. The small group of young performers will be providing an impressive display of contemporary aerial dance pieces during their first visit to AIYF.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 28 Dance
JORDAN
ROMANIA
Elbrus Circassian Dance Troupe
Corina Andrian - Dor
Elbrus are returning to AIYF this year, having taken part in 2014’s festival where they delighted audiences at both Woodend Barn and the International Variety Gala. The group is based at the Prince Hamzah School in Amman – the only one of its kind in the Middle East to offer a curriculum of both Circassian language and culture. The 15 dancers perform in beautifully decorated costumes, the traditional clothing of the Circassian people. The young performers have a shared enthusiasm of their culture and heritage, and it is their aim to carry on these traditions through dance.
WEST AFRICA
Anouaze G. A. Anouaze is an artistic dance and theatre group based in Yopougon Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Founded in 2010, the company is known for their interest in African plays and music, and established classical texts reinterpreted in refreshing new ways. In the past three years they have collected many of their nation’s most distinguished awards recognising the quality of their productions. The company uses the traditional rhythms and instruments from Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal in their productions. They also use songs embellished by the choreography that describe different scenes from the history of Africa, daily life, festivities and more.
Attending rhythmic gymnastics and ballet classes in her childhood, 20 year old Corina Andrian grew up with a love and admiration for dance. She then discovered contemporary dance and is excited to bring this style to AIYF this year. ‘Dor’ is a profound Romanian word, which refers to a deeply nostalgic idea of longing, yearning and loving. Corina is a first year student currently studying Media at Robert Gordon’s University in Aberdeen.
GHANA
Nkrabea Dance Ensemble This well-travelled and highly regarded company from Accra was set up to give young Ghanaian dancers and musicians the opportunity to learn, preserve, share and develop the long tradition of African dance form. As well as introducing their work to the local population around the country, the company is dedicated to bringing this unique blend of dance, music and acrobatics to an international audience. This has seen the company perform across many countries in West Africa, Japan and now the UK.
SCOTLAND
Y-Dance Project-Y is a company brought together each year by Y-Dance, Scotland’s contemporary dance development organisation, made up of young dancers from across Scotland. Working with established professional chorographers the company tour high quality new work each summer. Part of the performance will feature the Project-Y Aberdeen Foundation Course dancers who have been creating an exciting and original piece of work over the previous week.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Orchestras 29
Orchestras CANADA
SWITZERLAND
Toronto All Stars
Academic Orchestra Zurich
The Toronto All Stars were established in 2000 and are becoming regular performers at AIYF, having first attended the festival in 2004 and again in 2009. Formed in 2000 and considered one of the leading Steelpan groups in Toronto, the group currently performs under the instruction of their band leader, Salmon Cupid. Salmon moved to Canada over 20 years ago from Trinidad & Tobago, home of the Steelpan to teach music with the Toronto Board of Education. They have performed on numerous occasions around their home city, and in 2007 represented Canada at the Australian International Music Festival where they won a gold award having performed at the Sydney Opera House. In 2011 and 2013 they had the opportunity to tour Italy and Central Europe, performing at the Festival Orchestre Giovanili. This year’s musical repertoire will be a range of classical, pop, calypso, contemporary and jazz.
The Zurich Academic Orchestra began in 1987, and currently has around 70 members from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich. Open to amateur musicians, the orchestra reached its current size under the conductor Johannes Schlaefli (1983-2014), who transformed it into one of the most renowned amateur orchestras in Switzerland before Lukas Meister took over as conductor in 2014. Constantly renewing their musical repertoire, the orchestra strives to promote young, promising soloists giving them the chance to perform with a symphony orchestra. The orchestra have performed extensively across Europe, and toured Japan, Singapore and Canada in recent years. At AIYF this year as well as their own performances they will be playing the national anthems for each participating country at the Welcome Ceremony on Saturday, 25th July.
ISRAEL
CHINA
Kiryat Ono Youth Concert Band
Beijing No.20 High School Brass Band
The Kiryat Ono Youth Concert Band offers young people the opportunity to perform a varied repertoire of classical and traditional Israeli music. They are led by Musical Director Guy Feder who regularly leads the Israel Chamber Orchestra and is the overall conductor for the Kiryat Ono Music Conservatory, where the Concert Band is based. The group has performed in a number of countries across the world including the USA, Brazil, Chile, and Canada and across Europe. With a number of international tours under their belt, they have also won several international awards.
Established at the Beijing No.20 High School in 1996, the Brass Band currently has over 100 players. Wu Gang has conducted the band since the beginning, and has led the group through a number of youth music and arts festivals worldwide, in countries including Russia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy. For the past decade they have been involved in Beijing’s Student Festival, winning first prize eight times over the years.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 30 Theatre
Theatre SCOTLAND
UK
Mitchell School of Drama Youth Music Theatre (YMT) UK Originally set up as The Rhona Mitchell School of Drama in Inverurie in 1983, MSD have become a feature of the town’s cultural life having worked with hundreds of young people and entertained thousands of audience members since Rhona’s return to Aberdeenshire in 1998 after a decade in Glasgow (and change of group name). The school aims to cultivate an interest in theatre and drama by providing classes for a wide range of abilities and the opportunity to participate in a variety of stage productions. Many of MSD’s former students have gone on to study drama full-time and many are working professionally as actors, directors and in television. Since 2006 MSD have not missed a festival, bringing original productions of Shakespeare’s classic texts as well as wonderfully doric-full devised productions including Doorways, Lottie and their production last year Our Scotland to entertain audiences of all ages. The company uses original arrangements of music and song throughout their productions giving them a style that is accessible, entertaining and always full of drama.
USA
Youth Music Theatre UK, known as YMT is the UK’s leading musical theatre company for young people. Supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Education, they deliver a wide range of opportunities including performance, writing, skills workshops and special projects across the whole country. The link with AIYF is now into its ninth year and once again the company will develop an original piece of musical theatre while providing the highest quality training and development for the young actors, singers, musicians, dancers and technical team. Promoting individual creativity is at the heart of their work, the company continues to bring at least eight brand new productions to life each year, working with many of the best professional theatre practitioners from the West End, repertory and community theatre. They work with hundreds of young people each year developing confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, communication and performance skills.
Western University Arts Ambassadors The company participated in AIYF 2012 and 2013 under the name of Encore High School, and we are delighted the group is returning to the festival this year, now part of the Western Arts University, South California. The company are always looking to find interesting and exciting platforms to present their productions and stage their multi-layered and truly collaborative approach to performance which includes musical numbers, circus skills in a high energy and fast moving display of performance and circus. Formed in 2005 the company, both as Encore and now as Western Arts, regularly tour across the state and internationally.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Theatre 31
MOROCCO
SCOTLAND
Dramatic Association for Artistic Creation (DAAC)
Castlegate Theatre Company
Founded in 2007, DAAC is made up of actors aged 18-24, and aims to provide young people with the chance to nurture their creative talent in a number of ways through acting, directing, music and technical expertise. The group is led by director Jamal Taamart, a young actor who has already achieved success both behind and in front of the camera. He has had roles in a number of foreign language films, as well as production and directorial work on short films in Morocco. The small group of young actors have participated in both national and international festivals, most recently the International Festival of Theatre in Yekaterinburg, Russia. By performing at a range of events and festivals worldwide, their aim as a small group is to build up an international cultural exchange network, which will influence their performances in the future.
Based at ACT Aberdeen, Castlegate Theatre Company provides a platform for young people aged 16-25 wishing to be involved in theatre and musicals. Many having come from Castlegate Theatre Company Juniors, the Senior Company aims to provide young performers with more challenging work, allowing them to take part in a range of theatrical experiences. In 2015 the group will be staging ‘Lulach’ for AIYF, which they already performed for the Scottish Community Drama Association’s Festival of One Act Plays in February this year. The play tells the story of Macbeth’s step-daughter.
RUSSIA
YouAreNotTwo You Are Not Two was formed in 2008 by students from different colleges and Universities across Moscow, who wanted to challenge and experiment using different theatrical forms and texts and create their own, ‘new’ theatre. Waiting for Godot was the company’s first production with the current cast, and they felt it had a form that could be explored to create something that was in tune with present day situations. Not all members of the group are actors – ‘YouAreNotTwo’ is a union of creative people who share the same ideas and interests. The company name can be interpreted in different ways, but most importantly, that ‘you’ – means not a person, but a community or a group of like-minded people, united by a common goal to understand the drama of the absurd. Their visit to AIYF will be their first venture out of Russia as a company.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 32 World Music
World Music SCOTLAND
Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail
Routes String Quartet
Fèis Rois is committed to supporting young people to continue performing, learning and developing their skills in traditional music when they leave school. The Ceilidh Trail is a fantastic summer job for any young musician! It allows young musicians aged 16-25 to develop their performance skills and learn what it is like to be a touring musician.
Routes is a contemporary and traditional band formed in Glasgow early in 2014 by Emma Tomlinson (Viola), Gráinne Brady (Violin), Tricia Mullan (Violin) and Rufus Merlin-Huggan (Cello). The members became friends through weekly folk music sessions in Glasgow’s West End.
The National Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail gives locals and visitors alike the opportunity to hear top quality traditional music across Ross-Shire throughout the summer. The project ran for the first time as part of the Year of Creative Scotland in 2012, and was developed further during the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013. This year the project will run across Scotland from 18th July to 15th of August.
North East Folk Collective (Scotland) This Aberdeen City and Shire based group was formed by local fiddle player Sharon Hassan in 2009 with the aim of encouraging young people to play traditional music and songs of the North-east. The North East Folk Collective is the advanced group associated with Gadie Music, and plays traditional tunes from the North-east of Scotland and around the world. There is a strong composition element within the group, and many members create their own music that makes up part of the overall repertoire.
The ensemble’s name was suggested by pianist Thomas Gibbs; as all the members have different ‘roots’ and are forming new ‘routes’ with their music. The initial aim of the group was to combine the intimate and virtuoso qualities of a string quartet with a modern take on traditional folk music. The members have varied backgrounds in Scottish, Irish, English folk and classical traditions. After spending the summer combining these influences in writing and arranging, the group had their debut performance at the DIY Festival in Elgin in 2014. The band is now working towards material for recording its first album for release early in 2016. The innovative writing and ideas of this ensemble provide the basis for an exciting new project which crosses the boundaries of musical genres.
North East Folk Collective is a voluntary initiative where all tutoring is done with a desire to pass on skills and knowledge to a younger generation of musicians. Since it began in 2009 they have performed at a number of festivals, venues and events around Scotland and Ireland including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Stonehaven Folk Festival, The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Derry in 2012 and the Arts & Business Traditional Arts Awards 2013. DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG World Music 33
CANADA
Coastline
World Music Program
Coastline is a string ensemble comprised of 15 of British Columbia’s top young musicians aged 13-18, mentored by internationally acclaimed fiddler Ivonne Hernandez. This award-winning band has already been making a name for themselves since their inception in 2013.
The World Music Program is the longest-running performing arts group at Brockton School in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 2004 by professional musicians Paige Freeborn and Adrian Dyck, they encourage students to embrace and develop their creative and artistic potential through music. Playing on handcrafted African marimbas, at AIYF this year the group will be performing a lively mix of familiar tunes as well as more traditional arrangements. Students are encouraged as part of their involvement with the group to explore how music has helped bring about social change in both local and global communities. World Music Program has graced the stages of concert halls and outdoor venues in Canada, Asia and across Europe, and has in recent years performed at two international conferences for the UNESCO-founded International Society of Music Education (ISME).
With 10 fiddles, 2 cellos, 2 guitars and piano, the group of talented teens play a diverse and exciting repertoire. With intricate arrangements of traditional, original, and contemporary fiddle tunes from around the world, Coastline is pushing boundaries and always having a great time whenever they play. After being together for only a few months, they won the Large Fiddle Ensemble award at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. They have since gone on to perform at many different festivals and venues, including the Victoria International Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Victoria’s Tartan Day, Coastline was the featured performance at the Victoria Folk Club and Celtic Vespers and have opened for such notable acts as award winning band, The Fretless, and Scottish fiddle and cello duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. With a keen desire to travel, perform and share their music, Coastline has big plans for the upcoming year. They have just released their debut self-titled album to rave reviews. This year will be their first trip to AIYF, and the group are eager to demonstrate to audiences the international links between Canada and Scotland.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 34 Jazz
Jazz ENGLAND
Blackburn with Darwen Big Band
Jonathan Silk Quintet (Scotland)
Led by acclaimed Jazz musician Paul J Rigby, the band started in 2001 to encourage up-and-coming players who wanted to develop their musical skills further. The band has performed at many leading events throughout the UK including the Darwen Jazz & Blues Festival.
Jonathan began drumming at the age of 12 and has gone from strength to strength playing in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland for nearly four years before going on to be awarded one of only six Yamaha Jazz Scholars scholarships in 2011. In that same year, he went on to win the Tony Levin prize for ‘the most swinging drummer’ held at Birmingham Conservatoire. The recently formed Jonathan Silk Quintet is a contemporary project exploring the use of groove and sound within a jazz context. This double tenor quintet features some of Birmingham’s finest improvising musicians. Heavily influenced by the music of Jim Black, Chris Lightcap and many more, the focus of the group is high-energy improvisation paralleled with contrasting beauty and delicacy.
Since 2001 they have been on two international tours, the first in France and more recently in Belgium, playing on the main stage in Gent for part of their festival. The band plays a variety of styles and has a wide range of repertoire from Van Morrison to Amy Winehouse, Herbie Hancock to Henry Mancini. This year will be the band’s fourth visit to AIYF, and they will be taking part in the Variety Gala at His Majesty’s Theatre, as well as venues around Aberdeenshire as part of the Extended Festival programme.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Up Close & Musical 35
Up Close & Musical ENGLAND
The Oxford Lieder Young Performers The Oxford Lieder Young Artist Award is given to two or three outstanding duos each year. To qualify for the award each artist must be enrolled on a post-graduate course at a leading UK Conservatoire, demonstrate a superior level of musicianship and have outstanding performance skills.
Lucy Hall - Soprano Lucy graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 2010 from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and currently is building a reputation in Mozartian repertoire having recently performed Sandrina in La Finta Giardinier at the Grand Theatre du Luxembourg to critical acclaim. Last year she made a debut at the Festival d’Aix en Provence, stepping in to sing the role of Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro, a role she previously performed for the British Youth Opera. On the concert platform, Lucy made her Bridgewater debut performing Schubert’s Einsamkeit with the BBC Philharmonic. Other appearances include a solo debut of Nielson’s 3rd Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis. She has also completed her first season at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera singing in the chorus of Hippolyte et Aricie, conducted by William Christie. Alongside the Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform Award, Lucy was a finalist in the Handel Singing Competition, and the Silk Street Award for an opera student from GSMD.
Gavin Roberts - Piano Gavin enjoys a varied career as a piano accompanist. He has partnered singers in recital at Wigmore Hall, the Barbican Hall and the Royal Festival Hall, and is Artistic Director of the recital series Song in the City. He has played for The BBC Singers, The Joyful Company of Singers, The Hanover Band, Orpheus Britannicus, Tiffin Boys’ Choir and The Guildford Chamber Choir, and as a repetiteur for Sir Roger Norrington and the late Richard Hickox. Gavin has appeared regularly on BBC Radio broadcasts as a soloist and accompanist, often giving premiere performances of new works. His most recent project is a recording of Gurney songs with baritone Philip Lancaster. Since being named Oxford Leider Young Artists of the Year in 2012, Gavin and Lucy have performed together for Rhyl, Brentwood, Claygate and Dolgellau Music Clubs as well as Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire Concert Society. They also gave a recital at the Little Missenden Festival in 2013. We are delighted they are taking part in AIYF this summer.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 36 Up Close & Musical
MEXICO/FINLAND
Aeon Duo Aeon began in 2013 when Essi Kiiski (Finland) and Eduardo Andrade (Mexico) began studies at the Royal College of Music in London. The players share a passion for adventuring into different styles and their repertoire ranges from traditional classical works, folkloric music and pieces composed by Andrade. The Latin word ‘Aeon’ was chosen by the duo because it means ‘Life’ or ‘Eternity’. They believe that music is an art form that transcends time in a unique way, and with every performance they hope to bring to life both familiar sounds and new pieces of music. Eduardo Andrade is a Mexican Composer and Pianist, studying composition in London at the Royal College of Music with Alison Kay and composition for screen with Enrica Sciandrone. He started his musical studies at age four in the Yamaha academy of Music in Mexico City. He has also studied at the Superior School of Music of Veracruz as well as in Austria in masterclasses with Gianfranco Sannicandro and Georg Steinschaden. Essi Kiiski began violin studies at the age of six and is now studying her Master’s Degree at the Royal College of Music with Professor Jan Repko. Her solo debut was at the age of 13 with Kymi Sinfonietta as one of the selected performers for the Young Soloist Concert. She was chosen for the same event in 2007 and 2011, and has been one of four soloists playing Vivaldi’s seasons with the youth orchestra of Kotka. The governments of Mexico and the United Kingdom have decided to celebrate the ‘Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom’ and the ‘Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico’ in 2015 to promote better understanding between our societies.
ENGLAND
Nicholas Harris Nicholas Harris was born in Santa Cruz, California in 1989 where at the age of seven he began piano studies with Mariko Kan, who had been a student of the harpsichordist Isolde Ahlgrimm. He studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music followed by time as part of the Young Talent Program at the Amsterdam Conservatory and then at the Yehudi Menuhin School in London. Since 2010 he has been a student of Andrew Ball at the Royal College of Music in London. As a chamber musician Harris has played with the Engadin Quartet and violinist Amarins Wierdsma in Holland, the London Mozart Players as part of the annual Wigmore Hall concert series given by the Yehudi Menuhin School, and has also performed in venues such as the Menuhin Hall and Cadogan Hall. He is a recipient of a Royal College of Music George Stennet Award, as well as the English Speaking Union’s 2014 Scholarship to the International Musicians’ Seminar, Prussia Cove.
RUSSIA
Michael Romanychev - Balalaika & Violin Fedor Romanychev - Piano Brothers Michael and Fedor began performing together at Music School in St Petersburg. The pair has performed at a number of concert venues around the city, and their repertoire includes classical music and adaptations of traditional Russian Folk songs. Fedor has played piano for over 16 years, and is continuing his studies at the Vaganova Ballet Academy as a concertmaster. Michael is currently studying at St Petersburg Conservatory.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Up Close & Musical 37
SCOTLAND
University of Aberdeen Ogston Music Prize AIYF will once again be linking up and presenting some of the finalists and winner of the prestigious Ogston Music Prize as part of the Up Close and Musical Series. This annual competition held in May every year has seen winners who play a variety of instruments including saxophone, piano and flute. The event sees many of the most experienced and talented musicians from across the student population compete for the prize money and coveted title. Previous winners have included Kerr Slaven, Kay Ritchie and Anna Lawrence, some of whom are still an active part of the AIYF programme when they are available. Please visit the AIYF website for updated information on who will be part of the festival this year. Ellen Smith – Percussion Ellen’s musical education began when she started learning piano, followed by side drum with the local pipe band. Since starting orchestral percussion lessons aged 14, she has participated in many diverse musical ventures such as the Scottish Brass Band Championships and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland’s Spring Academy. Having just graduated from the University of Aberdeen completing an honours degree in Music, Ellen has been an active member of the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and the Drums and Pipes of the Aberdeen Universities’ Officer Training Corps, having undertaken trips to Belgium, Switzerland and Russia with these ensembles. Ellen won the 3rd performance prize last year, and later this year she will be continuing her studies with a Masters degree in Percussion Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
Alison Ewan – Violin Alison began playing violin at the age of twelve and completed her Grade 8 after six years of study. During that time she also began to develop a keen interest in Scottish music, and was accepted into the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Academy (then the RSAMD) where she studied fiddle under the tuition of Lauren MacColl for two years. Since accepting a place at Aberdeen University to study classical violin, Alison has continued to play traditional music, playing at events including the world famous Taste of Scotland Show in Edinburgh, playing solo fiddle with the Scots Military Band in the Royal Military Tattoo, as well as in a bluegrass band at the Royal Highland Show, and in her own band at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This academic year has seen her appear at the University graduations in November, as well as at the recent installation of the new rector. Alison has also been nominated to audition for the prestigious Boise Scholarship in London, to help aid her further studies as she takes up a place to study a Masters course in traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September.
Sirocco Winds Live Music Now encourages talented, emerging players from the UK to engage with audiences whose circumstances restrict or deny their access to live music. This work is incredibly beneficial for both parties, impacting both the personal and musical development for musicians and audiences. Formed in 2012 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Sirocco Winds are a dynamic wind ensemble. The group pride themselves on their enthusiasm and are committed to providing quality chamber music. Sirocco Winds enjoy delivering education projects as an ensemble, which involves creating new ways of introducing music to a diverse audience. They recently won the Governors’ Recital Prize for Chamber Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and were invited to perform at the prestigious Commonwealth Gala Concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2014.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 38 Up Close & Musical
Aberdeen and North East Music Festival This AIYF partner festival has been providing a platform and showcase for young musicians as well as country dancers and drama performances since 1909. Still very much following the motto of Sir Henry Walford Davis, ‘Not to gain a prize or defeat a rival but to pace one another on the road to excellence’ the festival encourages and promotes young people to perform to their best ability and learn from each other. Entirely run by volunteers the AIYF is very happy to support the work of the organisation as part of our summer festival.
North East of Scotland Music School Performers (NESMS) Located in Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland Music School (NESMS) is the UK’s most northerly centre of advanced music tuition. Founded in 1975 by Dorothy Hately, the school provides an opportunity for talented individuals of all ages to gain access to teaching of the highest calibre. This year NESMS is delighted to be celebrating their 40th anniversary. Carly McCready (French Horn) Currently a pupil at Aberdeen Grammar School, Carly is taught by Alan MacDonald and is also a scholarship student with Lizzie Davis at NESMS. She plays in The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland’s senior group and has been made principle of the Grampian Youth Orchestra for their European Tour in 2016. She also plays with Aberdeen Grammar School Concert Band, Aberdeen Youth Orchestra, the Aberdeen Youth Wind Band and other ensembles. Finn Stevenson-Robb (Piano) Finn started learning piano with the Suzuki method when he was 5, and has recently been awarded a distinction in his Grade 4 Trinity piano exam. Taught by Nicky Bradford from Kincardine O’Neil, Aberdeenshire, a year ago Finn also started having lessons with Nigel Clayton at NESMS. He has a great love of Scottish music and has won many trophies for his sympathetic, complex arrangements of traditional pieces. Isabella Clapperton (Voice) Isabella is 20 years old and studies at the University of Aberdeen. She has been singing since primary school, and has passed her Grade 7. Until attending university, she was taught by Sheena Glover from Arbroath. She was recently awarded the Ellie Pirie Bach Choir Scholarship by NESMS, which covers her vocal lessons with Alan Watt. She is also an active member of the University’s Opera Society.
Ngoni Masiyakurima (Piano) Ngoni is 15 years old and working towards his Grade 8 piano exam. Currently a pupil at Albyn School, Ngoni takes weekly lessons with Ms Addison and is a scholarship student at NESMS under the tutelage of Joseph Long. Lisa Abraham (Piano, Violin, Flute) Lisa is a scholarship student at NESMS where she is currently taught by Joseph Long. She also has lessons with Mrs June Chisholm. Lisa has performed in various public venues in Aberdeen including the Cowdray Hall. Lisa also plays the violin and flute. She is a current member of the Aberdeen Youth Symphony Orchestra, Grampian Youth Orchestra and a past member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Juniors. Adam Auchie (Piano) Adam currently has lessons with Joseph Long at NESMS, on the Tom Johnston Piano Scholarship. Having played piano for nearly ten years, he also plays clarinet and enjoys singing. He is a pupil at Albyn School where he was awarded a music scholarship. Adam is very involved with playing and singing in various musical ensembles, and also plays clarinet with the Craigiebuckler Church Orchestra where he teaches young beginners to play the piano. He is currently studying for an International GCSE in music and is considering studying music in further education.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG AIYF Spotlight Sessions & Freshly Squeezed / Communities Tour 39
AIYF Spotlight Sessions & Freshly Squeezed Returning for a third year, AIYF has once again programmed a series of events which showcase young acts which have turned professional in a bid to support talent development, even with young artists who have already experienced success in their careers. These shows recognise that young talent, particularly musicians are turning professional at a younger age and need additional support. Following a successful collaboration last year with the Lemon Tree’s Freshly Squeezed initiative, the AIYF Spotlight Sessions will once again be joining
forces with the venue, supported by Aberdeen Performing Arts. The Freshly Squeezed Project aims to support and nurture emerging young local and national talent across all musical genres. As well as working with APA the Spotlight Series highlights young jazz musicians with Jazz at the Blue Lamp, Chamber musicians with Enterprise Music Scotland and Live Music Now and also young traditional musicians.
Supported by Creative Scotland
Communities Tour This year the Communities Tour will once again bring some of the best local, national and international young talent to a number of areas across the city. This is an excellent opportunity for the AIYF performers from all around the world to meet those from communities in Aberdeen who would not normally have the chance to see or hear AIYF’s performers. From youth centres to care homes and hospitals, the Communities Tour provides a rewarding experience for the young performers involved, as well as the local audiences!
Audiences can expect a variety of performances from musicians, actors and dancers, as traditions and talents are brought to communities including Garthdee, Seaton, Tillydrone, Northfield and Torry. An invaluable part of AIYF, the Communities Tour allows people both young and old to engage with the festival and its participants in their own community setting. To find out more about shows coming to a place near you, please visit the Communities Tour page on the AIYF website. www.aiyf.org
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 40 Summer Courses
Summer Courses CEÒL MÒR
SPLORE
JULY 25- 31
JULY 27- 31
Ceòl Mòr is an established summer school which offers young musicians aged 16 to 25 the opportunity to learn and develop a performance practice, embracing the exciting genre-crossing music currently being written in Scotland. Ceòl Mòr was created by AIYF in 2006, and continues to welcome and support young musicians interested in playing new and existing Scottish music which stems from the folk tradition, and contains influences from other genres including classical and jazz.
Established over 10 years ago, Splore is an excellent opportunity for 12 to 16 year olds to meet and play with other young traditional musicians, and learn from experienced tutors. Many past participants of Splore have gone on to experience success as winners of the BBC Scotland Young Musician of the Year, and have progressed into careers as traditional musicians.
Over the years the band has built relationships with a number of influential contemporary Scottish songwriters and composers, and has even had new music commissioned. Previous collaborators have included Colin Steele, Corinna Hewat and David Milligan (Unusual Suspects) Aidan O’Rourke (Lau), Innes Watson (Treacherous Orchestra) and Karine Polwart. This year Ceòl Mòr welcomes back Hamish Napier to lead the band, one of Scotland’s leading musical directors and composers. Hamish will be joined by tutors Laura Wilkie and Michael Fennie, who both have a wealth of experience within the Scottish traditional music scene.
This year’s participants will be led once again by Gillian Frame, who returns to Splore for her fourth summer. Gillian is an accomplished fiddle player and singer, and AIYF are delighted to welcome her back this year to lead a full five-day programme of events and activities. Splore ends with an ensemble sharing performance, and is open to young people aged 12-16 who are able to play a minimum of Grade 2 in their main instrument. Any instrument is welcome on the course.
The band is open to young musicians aged between 16 and 25, who play any instrument including brass and woodwind. You should play to the equivalent of Grade 5, have good sight-reading skills and also be comfortable learning by ear.
To find out how to get involved with all our Summer Courses, visit the AIYF website: www.aiyf.org
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Summer Courses 41
YOUNG SC&T
INTERNATIONAL DANCE LAB
JULY 27- 31
JULY 24- 31
Returning for its fourth year, Young SC&T (Scottish Culture & Traditions) is a valuable opportunity for children between P4-P7 to develop and explore their skills in traditional music. The course involves a week of classes where players will have the chance to participate alongside experienced tutors, with the aim of extending their repertoire in Scottish traditional music.
The AIYF Dance Lab offers young people the chance to develop their skills and repertoire, with expert tuition from acclaimed Italian choreographer Roberto Lori. During an intensive week of classes, the group will create a brand new piece to be showcased at the International Dance Gala on Thursday, 30th July at His Majesty’s Theatre along with a number of Italian dancers, forming a truly collaborative piece of work. The Dance Lab also aims to represent Scottish music and traditional ballads through the language of contemporary dance. To accompany the new piece will be North East Folk Collective, a group of local young traditional musicians. As well as seeing through the creation of a new piece of dance, participants will have the opportunity to take part in AIYF’s Day of Dance and attend a range of AIYF shows during the festival.
Young musicians will have the opportunity to learn from talented traditional music tutors Sharon Hassan and Daniel Thorpe. Sharon is a multi-instrumentalist and has been involved in tutoring traditional music for over 15 years. She currently runs Gadie Music, who deliver workshops to over 100 young people each week. Fiddle player Daniel was named Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2010, and has enjoyed a varied career in tutoring and performing both in Scotland and internationally. Players taking part in Young SC&T will have the opportunity to perform at the University on Friday, 31st July as part of AIYF’s ‘Up Close and Musical’ series. To join the course, young people should be confident playing some simple tunes on any instrument.
Y-DANCE FOUNDATION COURSE JULY 27- 31 Part of the Project-Y dance training programme, the YDance Foundation Course offers young dancers aged 12-18 the opportunity to perform a new piece of work on stage as part of the Project Y tour at the Lemon Tree on Friday, 31st July. Young people will work alongside choreographer Emma Smith, with rehearsals taking place at the Citymoves studio in the centre of Aberdeen. YDance is the national dance organisation for young people aged 3-21 in Scotland and works through key partnerships in education, culture, health and sport to provide a range of high quality dance experiences across three main areas of work – Developing Talent, Education and Participation.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 42 Community Projects
Community Projects Play Week with ACE! - 10th-16th August 2015 This year we have a brand new AIYF event in partnership with ACE! As part of our AIYF community programme, we are thrilled to be running a really exciting, action-packed week of creative outdoor play activities for families. The week will involve the following: Journey walks between Airyhall Community Centre, Walker Dam and our main outdoor base in the woods around Hazlehead Park. A wide variety of fun outdoor activity themes such as art and crafts, puppetry, music, den-building, story-making, singing, fire-lighting, nature awareness and performance opportunities.
With a maximum of 25 participants each day, families can choose to take part for one day, 2+ days or for the whole week. It is free to take part, and we just ask for you to come with a packed lunch/snacks and appropriate outdoor clothing. For more information and booking reservations, please contact project leader Alec Miller: familyplayweek@gmail.com.
Red and the Wolf Community Dance Project Red and the Wolf by Liminal Dance Company is an immersive theatre performance which aims to attract young people aged 8-16 into its community cast. This partnership between AIYF, Woodend Barn, Banchory and Citymoves Dance Agency explores movement and dance through storytelling based on the familiar tale, Little Red Riding Hood. During the week participants will work from 10am5pm culminating with an open public performance on the Friday. Participants will explore movement, dance, story-telling and have the opportunity to perform with professional artists. Allowing participants to explore their own creativity and
imagination, they will create a unique performance experience for both them and the audience. The project is open to anyone aged 8-16 who would like to be involved- no experience is necessary. 13th-17th July, 10am-5pm at Citymoves, Aberdeen Performances at 3.30pm & 5pm on Friday, 17th July 20th-24th July, 10am-5pm at Woodend Barn, Banchory Performance on Friday, 24th July at 7.30pm Participants can choose to take part in either week. To get involved or register your interest please email reception@aiyf.org
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Community Outreach Projects 43
FESTIVAL RADIO Every day on shmuFM 99.8 FM
SHMU (Station House Media Unit) SHMU RADIO – AIYF FESTIVAL RADIO STATION. Since 2008, AIYF has been working with SHMU and their Youth Media Project to provide comprehensive coverage of AIYF events. The young people on the project become previewers and reviewers for the festival, attending and reporting on over 30 shows over nine days. In the early days of AIYF many young people hadn’t been inside the venues, far less given their critique on festival shows – today the young reporters have grown in confidence and cover many of the city’s cultural events and festivals. So do look out for the SHMU team and answer their questions for Radio and TV. Tune in to hear their programmes live or on catch up where they will be talking to festival performers and audiences both in the studio and at venues. SHMU is also home to the music website 57degrees which promotes the diverse music scene in the North-east.
Chamber Music Project Now in its fifth year, the 2015 Chamber Music project makes a significant development this year. The project will continue to be led by the Hebrides Ensemble, who will work with two up-and-coming groups as part of an extended partnership with Enterprise Music Scotland. They are the umbrella organisation who supports the development of Chamber Music in Scotland. The two chosen ensembles, The Cresswell Trio and Zengo Trio will work over three days with Hebrides players and then perform as part of the Up Close and Musical series at the end of the project. The Hebrides Ensemble will also perform at the concert and we look forward to this new partnership growing and flourishing over the next few years.
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 44 Community Projects
Community Projects Summer Art Competition
Community Opera
For the first time, AIYF was delighted to join forces with the Belvidere Gallery in Rosemount for their Summer Art Competition, based at Airyhall Primary School with support from ACE choirs. There were nine categories involved in the competition including two pre-school groups and Primaries 1-7. Pupils were challenged to explore the theme ‘outdoors,’ which was then judged by Aberdeen-based artist Chris Wells and assisted by fifth Year pupil Eilidh McArthur from Hazlehead Academy. The winning entries from each category will be professionally exhibited at the Belvidere Gallery in Rosemount Place and then join the ‘Best of the Rest’ show judged by AIYF in the exhibition space at Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen.
This year AIYF is excited to be staging Noye’s Fludde, one of the festival’s community outreach projects taking place within Aberdeen. Supported by many key organisations including Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland, the production has targeted the areas of Seaton and Tillydrone, engaging with local people of all ages and offering them the chance to be part of AIYF. Working alongside acclaimed musical directors and producers, the company have been rehearsing since early May in preparation for their performances both in the lead up and during AIYF at Queen’s Cross Church.
The exhibition will continue during July.
Noye’s Fludde was written by Benjamin Britten and first performed in 1958 retells the familiar biblical tale of Noah’s Ark. With an emphasis on collaborative performance with both amateurs and professional singers, the community opera aims to provide an inclusive, engaging atmosphere for people who may never have considered performing in an opera before. Timothy Dean, former Head of Opera at the RSAMD (Now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) will be taking on the role of Musical Director, while Paul Hudson will be directing the production. Paul is actively involved in My Voice, One Voice which involves vocal research in Aberdeen. Alongside this he has been closely involved with vocal coaching and musical direction in the city since 2001. If you are interested in being involved in this dynamic community project, there is still time to be part of the fun. For more information about rehearsals and the opera itself, please contact projects@aiyf.org or phone the festival office.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
24 JUL - 01 AUG Acknowledgements 45
Acknowledgements Aberdeen and North-east Music Festival
Friends of the Festival Stars:
Arts Centre and Theatre – ACT Aberdeen
Diamond Stars
Aberdeen City Council Events Team
Mr R & Mrs P Finnie
Aberdeen City Council Creative Learning Team
GSS Developments (ABD) Ltd
Aberdeen City Council Cultural Strategy Team Aberdeen Performing Arts Bon Accord Centre Evening Express Finnies the Jeweller North East of Scotland Music School
Professor E Russell Mrs L Sim Mrs REM Tayler – Hawkhill House Dr H & Mrs J Wilson Dr Ruth Payne Crystal Star Lessel Rennie
Press & Journal Robert Gordon’s College Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Station House Media Unit (SHMU) St Petersburg Forum Staff at Seventeen The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen The Society of Friends of Brechin Cathedral
AIYF is a member of:
www.aiyf.org
24 JUL - 01 AUG 46 Join Us
Join Us - We Need Your Support AIYF has been extremely fortunate over the years to have had an incredible amount of support from the Friends of the Festival, individuals, small to medium-sized businesses and large multi-national corporations. It has taken many years to establish and build on these relationships and we are keen to nurture these links to offer everyone a chance to share in the wonderful opportunities that AIYF brings to Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland. To do this we need YOUR help to continue developing AIYF as ‘Scotland’s Platform for Youth Arts,’ one of the leading events of its kind promoting international young talent across a variety of art forms. There are a number of ways of supporting AIYF.
SPONSORSHIP Our distinctive cultural offering that combines the nurturing of emerging local, national and international talent with education, performance and social interaction means we are in a strong position to offer exciting sponsorship and partnership packages, which will help to deliver any organisation’s objectives in a unique way. For more information on sponsorship please contact us at the festival office. Details are at the bottom of the page.
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL The Friends of the Festival have been providing valuable support to AIYF for over 40 years. An independent membership organisation, they support AIYF projects, events, fundraising and performances. There are many benefits to becoming a Friend of the Festival including priority booking, discounts, exclusive updates as well as the knowledge that you are supporting one of Aberdeen’s most established cultural events aimed at young people locally, nationally and internationally.
BE A FESTIVAL STAR The Festival Star was established in order to acknowledge both individuals and businesses that have made significant donations to AIYF. Private donations to AIYF give financial support to international performing groups taking part in the festival. Giving to the festival also helps us to continue developing opportunities for young people based locally, helping them to engage with the arts through AIYF’s educational and community based projects.
As a ‘Festival Star’ donor you will be recognised on our website and in our printed brochure, unless you wish to remain anonymous. You can become a ‘Festival Star’ for as little as £100 with a ‘Diamond Star’ donation rising to £1,500. For details on ‘Festival Star’ opportunities please contact us at the festival office. The contact information is at the bottom of this page.
LEGACIES One way of supporting the long term future of AIYF is by leaving a legacy to the organisation. Information and advice can be received from any solicitor and if you would like to discuss this or any support please get in touch with the festival’s Chief Executive through the contact methods listed below.
CONTACT To find out more about how you can support AIYF please contact Stewart Aitken, Artistic Director & CEO, AIYF, Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JR T: 01224 213 800 E: info@aiyf.org W: www.aiyf.org
Express your creativity on the back page and hand in your very own festival designs to Seventeen, 17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen where they will be displayed on our exhibition wall.
DANCE / THEATRE / WORLD MUSIC / CHOIRS / OPERA / ORCHESTRAS / JAZZ
What’s in your imagination?
LET’S PASS ON ENERGY TO THE NEXT GENERATION. LET’S GO.
FIND OUT HOW WE’RE HELPING MEET THE ENERGY CHALLENGE AT WWW.SHELL.COM/LETSGO