'It feels like a miracle' as Caithness youth orchestra members get back to rehearsals
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Members of the Caithness Junior Orchestra are set to return to weekly rehearsals for the first time since the start of the pandemic – and their conductor says it feels like a miracle to be getting together again.
The young musicians will be restarting their sessions on Monday, September 27, at Thurso's Mount Pleasant Primary School, following an 18-month break due to Covid-19.
“It has been a long wait, and we are so pleased to finally be able to meet to make music together again,” conductor Susie Dingle said.
“First of all there were government Covid-related concerns about the safety of playing wind and brass instruments, then difficulties finding a venue willing to accommodate us, and more recently the various Covid outbreaks ongoing in some local schools. It feels like a miracle that we have been able to overcome all of these obstacles to allow the children to get back together again.
"We’ve managed to put in protocols to manage the risks to the satisfaction of Highland Council and in accordance with the Scottish Government guidelines – so, at last, we’re good to go!”
The orchestra is open to anyone aged from eight to 18 who plays an orchestral instrument. It is always welcoming to new members and there are no auditions.
The organisers ask parents to visit www.caithnessmusic.com to download and complete a membership form and to read the Covid protocols ahead of their child going along to the orchestra. New players can join throughout the year.
Composer Katrina Gordon adapts the music to suit the abilities of the young people, so there are parts available for beginners right through to very experienced players.
Katrina said: “We especially welcome beginner string players, and I’ve written parts that just use the four open strings to get the children started, so those string parts are suitable for very early-stage learners.
"Research has shown that being a member of a youth orchestra or band helps children in many ways. Being part of that social group and mixing with players who are more experienced encourages children to keep on playing, to attend their lessons and engage with their music instructors, and to thrive emotionally, socially and academically."
Katrina added: "We were so sorry to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to our orchestra members who have flown the nest during the pandemic – they are all such great role models now and we’ll miss them all.
"I’d particularly like to congratulate Niamh Fraser, who is off to Edinburgh University this week, having achieved 'A' grades in all of her exams at Thurso High and having passed her Grade 8 piano exam with flying colours this summer.
"Niamh joined the junior orchestra when she was still in primary school and has benefited so much from her orchestral experience – it’s just a delight and an honour to work with so many young people like Niamh and to see them develop over the years into confident, resilient and creative adults.”
The difficulties with accessing venues for group music-making in Caithness have, for most groups, now been overcome with the intervention of some local councillors and help of the wider public. Katrina and Susie explained that caithnessmusic.com – a social enterprise that promotes health and wellbeing through group music-making – had been inundated with offers of assistance and they were grateful to all who were willing to help.
Wick Choral Society is now meeting on Monday evenings in St John’s Church, Wick, and livestreaming rehearsals on its Facebook page for anyone who feels unable to attend in person. The adult Caithness Orchestra has restarted on Wednesday evenings at Mount Pleasant.
The Caithness Big Band and its affiliated adult learners’ Sunday Night Band have both also managed to secure venues to get back to face-to-face rehearsals. And, although the Pentland Brass junior band members are still rehearsing outdoors, it is hoped they will gain access to their home in the Boys Brigade' hall in Thurso after the October holidays.
High Life Highland music instructor Karen Anderson hopes to start up her Caithness Schools Wind Band after the October break too.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the youth orchestra or any of the other community music groups can contact Susie or Katrina on 01847 893517 or email susandingleconductor@gmail.com
