Nineteen young musicians will step into the limelight on 25 September as they debut new Celtic big band The Gordon Duncan Experience on the Perth Concert Hall stage at the A National Treasure IV concert.
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Held annually in celebration of the musical genius and lasting legacy of the late Pitlochry piper Gordon Duncan, A National Treasure IV has become a staple of the traditional music calendar, featuring world class musicians and playing to packed houses.
Formed earlier this year following auditions, The Gordon Duncan Experience is made up of nineteen young Perthshire musicians ranging in age from twelve to seventeen, playing a range of instruments including piano, pipes, fiddle, cello, flute, mandolin, percussion and guitar.
Under the musical direction of Corrina Hewat and Dave Milligan, The Gordon Duncan Experience has been rehearsing intensively in preparation for the big night when the young musicians will play newly-commissioned pieces from Calum MacCrimmon and Patsy Reid, Martyn Bennett's epic MacKay's Memoirs as well as some of Gordon's own tunes.
Sharing the bill at A National Treasure IV is a top quality international line up that includes master piper Willie McCallum, the brilliant Galician gaita player Xose Manuel Budino, larger than life County Kerry accordionist and Gaelic singer Seamas Begley accompanied by ace guitarist Tim Edey, Gordon Duncan Jr performing some of his own songs and Old Blind Dogs - one of Scotland's finest folk bands.
Commenting on the first gig by The Gordon Duncan Experience which has already been signed up to play the prestigious Scottish Traditional Music Awards, also in Perth Concert Hall, in December, Corrina Hewat said:
"The Gordon Duncan Experience is a unique opportunity for the talented young musicians in and around Perth to excel in their chosen instrument with like-minded people, playing the mighty Gordon Duncan's music, as well as new music especially written for them, and what a fantastic job they are doing!
"The absolute joy that they get from playing this music together is tangible, and that's an extremely exciting thing to be a part of, whether leading the band, writing for the band or playing within it. The debut performance will be the culmination of a lot of hard work, dedicated practise and teamwork. I can't tell you how excited the young musicians are to be performing such a variety of music in such a prestigious show as A National Treasure IV - it's a night not to be missed."
The Gordon Duncan Experience was created by Horsecross Arts following funding from Scottish Art Council's (Creative Scotland) Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Fund and the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust and Perth & Kinross Council.
For tickets and information for A National Treasure IV, call Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621 031, click here. In-keeping with The Trust's aims of introducing young people to traditional music, tickets are free for all under 16s.