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HIGHLAND SCHOOLS WIND BAND PLAYS THURSO
The Highland Schools Wind band is performing in concert at Thurso High School, on Sunday 20th February at 1.30pm.

Conductor for the concert, Susan Dingle, is a regular guest of the Highland Council's musical groups as conductor of the Regional Youth Orchestra. Susan also conducts Highland Chamber Orchestra and a number of groups in Central Scotland.

Highland Schools Wind Band comprises 38 pupils playing woodwind, brass and percussion from many of Highland~s secondary schools. The Caithness and Sutherland representatives include Catriona Leighton (flute) from Wick High School; 8 pupils from Thurso High School playing oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon; Rachel Mellor (flute) from Dornoch Academy; and Fearn Bishop (trombone) from Golspie High School.

The concert programme will include pieces in a variety of styles ~ some originally composed for Wind Band, and some, which are arrangements of well-known tunes.

The Highland Council's Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton said: "This is the Band's second rehearsal weekend this session. The first was in Inverness, in November. The pupils have a very busy rehearsal schedule from Friday evening until Sunday lunchtime, when final preparations for the Concert will be in place. It is a credit to the work of all those involved that the group can produce a concert of high quality in such a short time."

Councillor Roger Saxon, Chairman of The Highland Council's Caithness Area Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "I am very pleased that the Highland Schools Wind Band is performing in Thurso, and that the rehearsal venues have been spread across the Highlands. This way as many people as possible can have the chance to see and hear the wonderful musical talent that we have in our schools and pupils in Highland."

The Band is supported by a dedicated team of Instrumental Tutors who are all employed by the Council and teach within The Instrumental Tuition Service, which provides regular music tuition to thousands of the area's pupils.

Tickets on the door at Thurso High School are adults £5 and concessions £3.

The Band is grateful to The Royal Hotel, Thurso for their co-operation in organising accommodation for the majority of the band and tutors.