Since its launch in August, 2008, North Highland Connections has presented more that 130 different cultural and educational events in 37 venues across the North Highlands. Beginning on 9th July it will present another ground-breaking venture.

From 9th to 14th July, eight young composers will gather for an intense week of study and composition at Ham. Under the direction of ‘star’ Scottish composers, David Horne and Stuart MacRae, the young composers, mostly drawn from Scotland, and all studying composition at university and conservatoire level, will work with the two tutors on developing their work, ending each day with open workshop performance and dicussion of the music produced by the students.

A unique feature of this new venture is that there will be an instrumental ensemble in residence to allow the students to try out their work and to learn more about the techniques of writing for instruments. The ensemble will comprise six players from NYOS Futures – the advanced group of members of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, a partner organisation of NHC.

Interested members of the public are welcome to observe the open workshop session at the end of each afternoon at Ham, and are asked to contact NHC if they wish to do so.

The work of the students, as well as pieces composed by the two distinguished teachers, will be presented in a final concert in the High School, Thurso, at 7:30pm on Saturday, 14th July. The concert will be directed by the distinguished conductor, Nicholas Cleobury, who is the overall director of the whole Creative Music Week. Admission to the concert is by programme, £8 (£6 concessions)

This week the Executive Director of North Highland Connections, Dr Graham Elliott, said “I am thrilled that we are able to bring an event of this calibre to the region, and I hope it will become an annual fixture. It fits in with our mission to offer access and opportunity to all. It also fits well with our developing relationships with our 22 partner organizations. Special among them is the University of Highlands & Islands, with whom we are working closely in developing new courses in the performing and visual arts.”

Source: North Highland Connections