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Dear all,
I hope you have all enjoyed a restful long weekend. Although this has been a shorter week, it has been another eventful one here at ACMS! Here’s a look back at what we’ve been up to, and a glimpse of a very busy fortnight ahead.
Jazz – Come & Play
Led by our own brilliant Mr Birse, our visitors explored ensemble playing, improvisation, and jazz history. Our ACMS pupils welcomed them warmly, playing alongside, giving tours, and ending the evening with a lively rendition of Chilli con Carne 🌶️🎶.
⏰ Early Closing
Just a reminder that we will close early (7pm) on Monday evening, as is tradition following a Specialist Weekend.
🎨 Change of Theme!
A quick note: the Fine Art “Come as Your Favourite Painting” theme has been postponed. Instead, Sunday’s Specialist Weekend theme is Blue! 💙 So please wear something suitably blue...the brighter the better!
Voice & Guitar – Come & Play
Our young visitors had a wonderful day of music-making with Dr Milne (voice) and Mr Stewart (guitar), finishing with a concert for parents that included solos from ACMS pupils and a sublime Scottish traditional tune arranged by Mr Stewart especially for the workshop. A huge well done to everyone involved!
🎶 The Big Weekend
🎶 The Big Weekend
Yes - it’s here...our big weekend!
Friday (today)
Our Specialist Weekend Two, Session One begins today at 2:45 pm and finishes at 5:15 pm.
Saturday (tomorrow)
Tomorrow promises a musical marathon:
• 10:30 - 11:15 am, Union Square - Our Jazz Quartet kicks things off as part of the Cowdray Hall 100th Anniversary celebrations.
• 12 noon, St Andrew’s Cathedral - Petra (piano) and Chloe (voice, ACMS alumna) perform in the cathedral’s lunchtime recital series.
• 12:15 - 12:45 pm, Cowdray Hall - Willow and James present a short recital, with James reprising his accordion programme from earlier this term.
• 1:45 pm, Union Square - Alumni Adam and Kian take to the stage. We wish them the very best!
• 4:00 - 4:45 pm, Cowdray Hall - ACMS pupils round off the day’s celebrations with another performance.
Sunday
On Sunday, 28th September, we host our Open Morning (10:00 am–12:00 noon). The morning includes:
• A welcome from me (your friendly Director 🎩)
• Words from Katie Arthur, Head Teacher of Dyce Academy
• Performances by our pupils
• Tours of our facilities
• And, of course, coffee and conversation with pupils and parents
Our Specialist Weekend then continues in the afternoon until 5:15 pm.
Looking Ahead
Strings, Wind & Brass - Come & Play Day
📅 Tuesday, 30th September, 6:00–7:45 pm
A fantastic evening planned for orchestral players, full of fun repertoire and ensemble joy.
Springfield Seniors’ Club
Our pupils return to Springfield Church (formerly Craigiebuckler) to perform for this much-loved audience. A delightful mix of classical, traditional, and light opera is on the menu.
Masterclass with Pat MacMahon
🎤 Saturday, 27th September, 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Aberdeen Methodist Church, Crown Terrace
NESMS are hosting this exciting vocal masterclass. Our own Dr Milne is especially enthusiastic, having once been taught by Pat herself. Audience entry is by donation; singers can book a half-hour slot (£25). An opportunity not to be missed!
🎭 Scottish Opera Project
Our First Study vocalists are looking forward to travelling to Glasgow at the end of next week to take part in an exciting project with Scottish Opera. They will have the chance to meet the production team and cast from upcoming productions in the 2025/26 season and, over the coming months, will collaborate with other young singers from across Scotland, including pupils from the other centres of musical excellence, to devise their very own operatic production. It promises to be a thrilling journey, and we can’t wait to see where it leads!
That’s all for now. Thank you as always for your continued support of ACMS. We look forward to seeing many of you over this jam-packed weekend.
KK
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