A new music workshop that aims to make the first experience of going to a classical music concert more accessible for young people and their families is being piloted by a leading musical talent at the University of Aberdeen.
Dr Paul Mealor, Lecturer in Music and Director of the University’s Balinese Gamelan orchestra, is set to take part in the new BBC Music Intro Scheme, sponsored by Lloyds TSB, on Tuesday, November 15, at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in the presence of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Dr Mealor and the Gamelan have been invited by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to lead a pre-BBC SSO concert workshop that aims to make classical music concerts more fun and enjoyable for young people and their families.
Around 250 young people from all over Glasgow will have an opportunity to perform on the Balinese Gamelan instruments and really experience music from another culture.
Dr Mealor will also use the workshop as a way of introducing the BBC SSO’s concert, which will follow, and help to make the whole evening’s experience enjoyable and stimulating.
Dr Mealor said: “This is a brilliant initiative by Lloyds TSB and the BBC and we are delighted to be taking part.
“This scheme will be a real way of ensuring that young people learn more about classical music and come to more classical concerts. After all, they are the audiences of the future.”
The same pre-concert workshop will take place in Aberdeen on Thursday, November 24, preceding Evelyn Glennie’s concert with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in the Music Hall.
The University of Aberdeen recently launched its new music programme for the winter season 2005. A copy of the new University Music programme can be obtained by contacting: (01224) 272570, or by emailing: music@abdn.ac.uk.
Full details of all University concerts are available in the brochure or by visiting: www.abdn.ac.uk/music