Published: Wednesday, 28th November, 2007 12:30
Pupils will gie it laldie
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Some of the 180 pupils from schools around the Borders, who make up the choir, during the rehearsals for 'Gie it Laldie' last Friday.
THE soaring sound of song cycles will fill the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels this week.
More than 250 primary and secondary pupils are gearing up for “Gie it Laldie”, which is being premièred at the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels on Thursday and Friday.
The event is a cycle of 10 songs symbolising various aspects of the Borders and has been specifically designed for children’s voices.
It is a showcase of music and songs specially composed by nationally renowned composer Lin Marsh, who has worked extensively in music education and composed music for children for BBC television and radio.
A pupil choir comprising nearly 180 primary six and seven pupils from six primary schools — Burgh, Melrose, St Ronan’s, Trinity, Priorsford and St Boswells — has been working with music curriculum support teachers over the last few months to perform the song cycle as one group.
The singers will be joined by several young composers, aged nine to18, who have been working with nationally recognised figures to create new music to accompany and enhance the songs.
Nicky Toneri, Scottish Borders Council’s principal teacher for arts staff and curriculum development, is enthusiastic about the project.
She said: “The performances are designed to promote song, music, creativity and citizenship and are part of a much wider initiative throughout Borders schools over the next two years to encourage children to sing more.
“By combining the capacity and skill of the council with that of a voluntary organisation, we are able to do so much more in this area and this is an exceptionally well focused opportunity.
“Within the project, the young people are drawing on a wide range of skills and developing confidence in many areas of the curriculum.
“They are actually creative singers, researchers, recyclers and composers.”
Stephen Deazley, who is also directing the shows, is widely acknowledged as a champion of music and music education for children and young people.
He has been working with secondary school students at St Andrew’s Arts Centre in Galashiels, composing an entirely original musical interlude.
Also involved in the project is Liz Dooner, a flautist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who has been working with primary seven pupils from Eddleston Primary School, making instruments from various objects found at the school for their composition based on the theme of recycling.
Councillor Catriona Bhatia, the executive member for education, has been inspired by the project.
She said: “The vast amount of time and effort put into this project by the teachers, composers and the youngsters themselves cannot go unrecognised.
“There is so much great work happening in our schools and it is a joy to see work like this being celebrated in this way.
“It is particularly inspiring that the songs have various cross-curricular connections which can branch into other areas of school work.
“So, as well as this event being a showcase of this work, it also marks the start of a fascinating journey of curricular development for the future.”
The event is the result of an association between Scottish Borders Community Orchestras and Scottish Borders Council’s music education department and has been supported by the Scottish Arts Council, Youth Music Initiative and the Foyle Foundation.
It will be conducted by Stephen Deazley, who became the first composer to be appointed as creative director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s education programme in 1999.
Under his direction, it received national and international recognition as one of the best in the UK in the field of orchestral education work and was recognised by the Scottish Executive as a model of best practice within the industry.
Councillor Graham Garvie, SBC’s executive member for culture, sport and community education said: “This is a particularly exciting event for the Borders.
“By combining the talent and enthusiasm of our youngsters with highly skilled and dedicated staff and musicians, this will no doubt make the event one to remember.
“I am really looking forward to meeting everyone involved and look forward to seeing the project develop further.”
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