Young people aged 18 and under will go free to a range of classical concerts in Perth Concert Hall this autumn/winter.
The new initiative builds on Horsecross Arts’ ongoing commitment to widen access to the arts to include a greater mix of people.
The creative organisation and charity behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre is already working with The Gannochy Trust, the Scottish orchestras, Stagecoach and others to create unforgettable opportunities for young people to experience music and drama both as audiences and behind the scenes.
The new offer which applies to Perth Concert Series, Perth Piano Sundays and Lunchtime Concerts is an extension to the existing Kids go Free offer where two 16 and unders go free with a paying adult on selected shows.
James Waters, creative director for classical music for Horsecross Arts, who launched the offer alongside the colourful new Perth Piano Sundays brochure said:
“We are committed to bringing the arts to as wide a range of people as possible including isolated communities, vulnerable groups and young people. We already deliver an extensive community arts programme that helps those who may not otherwise get involved in what we do. By extending our free ticket offer to 18 and unders, we are opening our doors to a future generation of concert lovers. We would urge young people to give it a go. They may not think they like classical music, but they will find that it underscores much of their lives, from films and TV to video games and adverts. Some of our concerts are only an hour long, some are during the day, some are on weekends, some in the evening so there will be a concert to suit everyone. The benefits of even a short period of musical relaxation to mental health are well-documented, so we reckon this offer will come into its own during exam time!”
The new season of Perth Piano Sundays opens on Sunday 22 September with Beethoven the Great Romantic, an emotionally intense programme of music by Beethoven, Schumann and Bach performed by Piotr Anderszewski. Mussorgsky’s magical Pictures at an Exhibition forms the centre piece of Alexander Gavrylyuk’s performance on Sunday 13 October. Beethoven specialist Llŷr Williams performs a selection of his sonatas on Sunday 10 November. Danny Driver tackles some of the hardest pieces of piano music ever written as he takes on Ligeti’s 18 Etudes on Sunday 1 December. In a Scottish exclusive, Paul Lewis and Steven Osborne join forces on Sunday 9 February for a series of popular piano duets. Yulianna Avdeeva explores the links between Schumann, Schubert and Beethoven on Sunday 22 March. Joanna MacGregor takes on Schubert’s Last Piano Sonata and more on Sunday 5 April. The season concludes on Sunday 17 May when pianist and broadcaster Kenneth Hamilton tours 1840s Scotland in the company of Franz Liszt!
The 18 and unders offer is available on a range of shows in the new Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre brochure which launches on Wednesday 14 August. For tickets and info visit www.horsecross.co.uk or call Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621031.
Tuesday 6 August 2019