Horsecross Arts is inviting young musicians from across Perth and Kinross to audition for The Gordon Duncan Experience a new Celtic ‘big band'.
Horsecross, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre has gained substantial 2-year funding for the project from the Scottish Arts Council Youth Music Initiative, the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust and Perth and Kinross Council.
Named after the late Perthshire piper, Gordon Duncan, who was a hugely influential and pioneering performer and composer, the band is open to any resident of Perth and Kinross aged fourteen to eighteen years who plays any instrument and is interested in playing music rooted in Scottish traditions with influences from other styles.
Corrina Hewat and David Milligan, founders of extravagant 22-piece folk orchestra The Unusual Suspects, will musically direct the band. The group will focus on playing traditional music with innovative arrangements carrying on the creative spirit of Gordon Duncan's writing and playing.
The Gordon Duncan Experience will make its debut appearance at the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust's annual fundraising concert in Perth Concert Hall on Sat 25 September alongside a host of traditional music stars from Scotland and beyond.
The band will perform new pieces by young contemporary composers commissioned by the Trust as well as a selection of Gordon Duncan tunes arranged by Corrina and David
Commenting on the ambitious project which will also involve two trainee musical directors, Jenn Minchin, music development co-ordinator for Horsecross Arts said:
"Horsecross is proud to be spearheading the creation of The Gordon Duncan Experience. We have worked closely with the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust to stage their A National Treasure concerts here at Perth Concert Hall over the last four years and we are delighted to collaborate on this innovative project with them In Corrina Hewat and David Milligan we couldn't have wished for better musical directors; they're massively experienced and innovative composers, arrangers, performers, educators and bandleaders who are sure to give the young musicians an unforgettable experience. It is also particularly apt that the first concert will take place in Perth Concert Hall, the first concert hall to be named Venue of the Year in the Scottish Traditional Music Awards."
Ian Duncan, Chair of the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust said:
"The Gordon Duncan Experience is the biggest project the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust has been involved in so far and we're delighted that it'll carry forward both Gordon's name and his groundbreaking approach to pushing the envelope of traditional music. It ticks all the boxes for us - it will provide dozens of young people with an amazing creative opportunity; it creates exciting challenges for young composers to write for an ensemble of this size and for two young musicians as trainee musical directors; and I'm sure the band will thrill audiences wherever they play.
Corrina Hewat and David Milligan said:
"We are very excited at the prospect of musically directing The Gordon Duncan Experience. This will be a great opportunity for Perthshire-based young musicians to experience a big band setting, rehearsing with other like-minded players, aiming towards a performance in the Perth Concert Hall. There will be newly-written music to perform, and the inimitable Gordon Duncan's music arranged by ourselves. With our background in founding The Unusual Suspects, while also writing and arranging the music for the 16 to 32 piece 'unofficial Scottish National Folk Orchestra' we have no doubt that the Gordon Duncan Experience will be an extremely rewarding project for all involved. The joy that happens when a group of musicians get together and work towards something much bigger than themselves is a unique thing, and we are glad to be the musical directors given the opportunity to share this with the young musicians of Perthshire. We are also extremely pleased that there will be commissions to work on, and The Gordon Duncan Experience will be the first to bring these to the main stage. So we're all fired-up! We can't wait for the rehearsals to start!"
Auditions for the band will take place on Sat 13 March in Perth Concert Hall. Potential band members will be required to play one piece of their choosing and also a piece of sight reading. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 10 March.
Application forms can be downloaded from www.horsecross.co.uk, click here or from www.gordonduncan.co.uk
For more information contact Jenn Minchin on 01738 477 722, e-mail jminchin@horsecross.co.uk