Internationally renowned soprano Dame Emma Kirkby and Swedish lutenist Jakob Lindberg have confirmed that they will perform in Inverness this summer to raise funds for an ambitious new school in Moray.

The concert at the Old High Church (Saturday, September 29th 2012) is part of a fundraising campaign for the new Moray Acorn School, set in the spacious grounds of the Moray Steiner School (charitable status) in Forres. The proposal will create an upper school that will see children right through to university age in an educational framework based on Steiner principles.

From its idyllic wooded campus overlooking Findhorn Bay, Moray Steiner School offers a child centred approach to education with an emphasis on ‘doing’, to complement academic learning from the ages of three to 15. Moray Acorn School, which will open for the autumn term 2013, will take children from 15 years onwards so that families can enjoy the same quality of education through to age 18. The Acorn School has enjoyed a 100% success rate in university admissions over the past five years, and the most recent two OFSTED reports have described the school as outstanding.

Dame Emma Kirkby said: “I have performed in Orkney and Aberdeen before so I’m very much looking forward to Inverness. For me the special repertoire, the sound and inspiration of the Highlands, the beauty of mellow old-style venues, and the energy released by the collective attention of a group of open-minded listeners is exceptionally rewarding. I would dearly love our Inverness audience to enjoy a sense of uplift, space and fulfilment.

“I have witnessed the wonderful effect of Steiner education on a few friends over the years, here and in other countries. In Germany, for example, the Waldorf school system helped to produce one of my finest colleagues, violinist Rachel Podger.  And recently I have heard of and seen the transformation in two dear young people in my extended family [who attend Moray Steiner School].”

Parent Abi Rooley-Towle has two sons at Moray Steiner School. She says the new [separate] development is a huge opportunity: “As parents we are passionate that our children can continue and finish their education with Steiner principles. Its holistic, person-centered approach is one that is not easily replicated in mainstream education.

Abi continued: “We are thrilled to have the public support of Emma and Jakob who are kindly donating their time and talent to our cause. They are not only philanthropists but also kindhearted individuals who clearly believe in inspired and complete education.”

Ian Sutherland McCook, one of the Moray Acorn School founders, is eagerly awaiting the opening in September 2013: “Up to now any of our children wishing to continue in Steiner educatisson after 15, have had to travel south. Not only can they now stay here until university time, but many students from out with the area will come to join us.”

It’s anticipated that Moray Acorn School will attract many new families to the area, and appeal to the Steiner community worldwide. Parents who have sent their children to Steiner schools include Clint Eastwood, Lucien Freud and Helmut Kohl. Well-known students include Jennifer Aniston, and Zoe Kravitz.

Tickets are available (minimum donation £25 each) at www.moraysteinerschool.org, Leakey’s Bookshop, Church Street, Inverness, and Phoenix, The Park, Findhorn.

Source: Moray Steiner School