New Perth music festival helps India’s street children

May 4 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A NEW Perth music festival will showcase the talents of local performers in a three-day event set to help change the lives of street children in India.

Opening on Tuesday, May 11, the Kinnoull Music Festival will feature, among others, live sets from two Perth musicians who have enjoyed international success for many years and are now delighted to be playing to a home crowd.

Festival founder Ian White has released more than 20 albums of Christian music and has toured worldwide, including many trips to Asia, sparking his interest in the Indian Ministries Foundation of which he is a trustee.

“I am a huge admirer of this Scottish-based charity and its life-changing work with some of the world’s most deprived children,” Ian explained.

“I’ve visited the IMF’s training projects a number of times and been truly inspired by the commitment of the staff and young people alike.

“I’ve seen for myself the difference they’re making and I know that the people of Perth will do all they can to help.”

The festival at Kinnoull Parish Church will see Ian sharing a stage for the first time with fellow Kinnoull resident and international recording artist, Jim Malcolm.

The multi-award-winning singer/songwriter performs his distinctive brand of folk music on both sides of the Atlantic to much acclaim and has recently worked with schools throughout Perthshire to encourage the talents of our own young folk.

This emerging talent will be a prime focus of the Kinnoull Music Festival, with two evenings devoted to performances by pupils from Perth schools.

This new generation of local musicians has been encouraged by regular visits and support from Ian White, and includes accomplished vocalist, 12-year-old Beth Malcolm who will perform with her dad on the Wednesday night.

Also taking to the stage will be 11-year-old soprano, Jack Gall, following on from his impressive performance at Perth Concert Hall last week in which he impressed the audience with a beautiful rendition of a new Latin song.

Joining Ian and Jim on Wednesday, May 12, will be one of the UK’s leading exponents of baroque music, guitarist Gordon Ferries – a regular performer with the BBC, and a local favourite following his performance at the Kinnoull summer fete two years ago.

To share in and support this new festival, just show up at Kinnoull church on the Dundee Road in Perth at 7.30pm on any or all of the evenings, and enjoy!

For more information contact Ian White at ian@liitlemistymusic.com or Fiona Ross at fiona@writingyou.org