The Gordon Duncan Experience returns to Concert Hall as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival

Jul 22 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) is set to take Perth audiences on a musical journey across Europe when it brings acts from Scotland, England and the Netherlands to the Fair City.

The performers, who represent the cream of the world’s musical talent, will take to the stage of the Perth Concert Hall on August 3 as part of the extended festival to venues outwith the main hub in Aberdeen.

One of the exciting groups participating in AIYF will be heading to Perth to showcase the skills they have built up in just a matter of days of working together. That group is Ceòl Mòr – the AIYF young traditional big band made up of some of Scotland’s most promising musicians. They come together exclusively for the Festival to fuse together their creativity and then showcase their work to audiences.

The youngsters appear in Perth on August 3 alongside The Gordon Duncan Experience – Scotland’s very own Celtic big band who will feel right at home in the venue.

The group of talented young musicians made their debut in Perth Concert Hall last September after being formed in honour of music legend and Perthshire piper Gordon Duncan, who died in 2005.

This year the band has expanded and brings together 25 talented local musicians who range in age from 12 to 17 to play piano, pipes, fiddle, cello flute, mandolin, percussion and guitar.

Stewart Aitken, artistic director and chief executive of Aberdeen International Youth Festival, expressed his delight that the extended festival is once again stopping off at Perth.

He said: “These young musicians have an incredible amount of talent and the festival audiences are in for a captivating and memorable evening. We are particularly pleased that we have been able to give an opportunity to some fantastic young musicians from Perthshire to be able to play at the Perth Concert Hall in front of a home crowd.

“We have for many years taken the best of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival to venues across Scotland, and we are committed to casting the net even further. We are delighted to be able to bring world class performers to Perth once again this year, and hope that local audiences will enjoy having them here.”

Tickets for the August 3 show are available from Perth Concert Hall, priced £10, £8 for concessions and £2.50 for under 16s. Tickets for all other shows during Aberdeen International Youth Festival (July 27 until August 6) are available from the main box office on 01224 641122 or online at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

More information about AIYF is available at www.aiyf.org