An exciting musical performance on Sunday 19th September in Perth Concert Hall will see 250 young people from Perth and Kinross, who have been introduced to Gaelic language and culture through musical activities, singing and playing as part of the Horsecross Arts Carnival celebrations for the Concert Hall's fifth birthday.
ABC Musical Alba is the culmination of a project to introduce children to Gaelic in a fun and interesting way. It has also been timed to coincide with the Perth 800 celebrations marking an exceptional year in Perth's history, the 800th anniversary of its founding in 1210.
Gaelic music and song has been combined with Brazilian traditions for the performance. Youngsters from the Council's Saturday Cool Schools music initiative and Perth Youth Orchestra have been working with Gaelic singer Aileen Ogilvie and Perth samba band Rhythm Wave to learn six Gaelic songs.
Together with Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos, the children will perform a 'puirt a beul' (Gaelic mouth music), a milking song, a lullaby, a waulking song (traditionally sung during the tweed-making process), a song combining Gaelic and Portuguese and a popular song in Gaelic. The backdrop to their performance will be images of Scotland and Brazil with Gaelic and Brazilian words. The Cool Schools sessions have been funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The finale of the show will be an encore involving all musicians and performers who have taken part throughout the evening performing Runrig's Alba.
Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant said: "I am delighted that so many young people have been able to take part in this project and gain a valuable introduction to Gaelic. In this year of celebration for Perth 800 and for the Concert Hall's fifth birthday the bringing together of Gaelic and Brazilian culture will undoubtedly be a colourful contribution to the Carnival weekend."
Carnival kicks off in Perth on Saturday 18th September with a colourful parade through the city centre from 12 noon and continues all afternoon with performances, activities and party fun in and around Perth Concert Hall. ABC Musical Alba, the finale to the weekend celebrations, starts at 7.30pm on Sunday 19th September in Perth Concert Hall. Visit www.horsecross.co.uk/carnival for more info, or just come along and join in.