We did it again!

Another Summer Prom, another unforgettable evening.

A huge stage, professional lighting and sound, a big audience and outstanding performances from our pupils combined to create a special concert.

One of the great joys of this event is that it allows everyone to step away from their usual diet of classical and traditional repertoire and become pop stars for the evening.

Given how busy June has been, rehearsal time was at an absolute premium. Over the past six weeks it has been wonderful to see pupils grabbing every available moment to rehearse together during lunchtimes, breaks and any spare time they could find. Those small moments added up to something remarkable.

Many pupils performed on second and even third study instruments, while several experienced performing as soloists on a large stage for the very first time.

Although collaboration is something we speak about often at ACMS, I cannot think of a better example than the preparation for this concert. Pupils arranged music together, coached one another, experimented with ideas and shared the music they love listening to outside school.

For the staff, it was equally fascinating. We were introduced to plenty of new music, while also discovering our pupils’ enthusiasm for songs from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Watching them create their own arrangements and bring those performances to life was a privilege.

The concert itself exceeded expectations. Seeing the smiles on stage, hearing the audience’s reactions and watching the confidence of our young musicians grow throughout the evening reminded us exactly why live performance matters.

As this was our Summer Prom, pupils fully embraced the black tie and evening dress theme. Everyone looked absolutely superb.

There were so many memorable moments throughout the evening:

      ●     seeing families experiencing an ACMS concert for the very first time;

      ●     watching children and adults dancing together at the back of the auditorium for much of the concert;

      ●     hearing enthusiastic applause after every performance; and witnessing the genuine enjoyment our pupils took from sharing music they had chosen themselves.

This concert also highlighted our strengthening collaborative bonds with the Dyce Academy Choir and Band, the cast of Dyce Academy's forthcoming production of Annie, and the Dyce Community Music Group. Every guest performer and group gave everything to their performance (and joined in the black tie and evening dress theme too).  We're very grateful to Laura Kirkwood for making the collaboration with the Dyce Academy pupils possible, and to Paul for his hard work organising the participation of the Dyce Community Music Group.

It was also wonderful to welcome back recent ACMS alumni Adam and Calum, who returned to perform alongside our pupils. They brought tremendous musical experience, provided fantastic support throughout the evening and, perhaps most importantly, reminded our current pupils that the ACMS family extends well beyond graduation. It was lovely to have them back.

Finally, our sincere thanks go to everyone at King’s Church, Bridge of Don, for once again hosting us so warmly. We always receive such a generous welcome and thoroughly enjoy performing there.

Thank you to Mr Maunder, Mrs Smith, and Miss Donati for some excellent photos! 

There is so much that happens behind the scenes at ACMS that rarely receives the attention it deserves.

A tremendous amount of planning goes into every lesson, rehearsal, concert, trip, examination, competition and performance opportunity.

Much of this is made possible through the incredible work of Annette and Elaine.

Whether organising our daily timetable, supporting concerts, preparing music, coordinating transport, managing countless communications or helping pupils and staff with the hundreds of unexpected challenges that arise throughout the year, they do so with endless patience, professionalism and good humour.

Their commitment allows ACMS to offer opportunities that extend far beyond our own campus, supporting pupils at competitions, courses, concerts and projects across Scotland and throughout the UK.

I am enormously grateful for everything they do.

Annette has also created a wonderful online feature entitled A Year in ACMS, providing a snapshot of everything that has taken place during the year. I would thoroughly recommend having a look - it's a lovely reminder of just how much our pupils achieve over the course of a year.

After such a busy year, everyone deserves a well-earned break.

Over the past few weeks I have had several conversations with pupils about their summer practice plans. I enjoy these discussions, particularly when pupils take the initiative and begin thinking about their own musical development.

My advice remains much the same every year.

Summer practice is not about spending endless hours with your instrument. It is about regular, thoughtful engagement.

A focused twenty or thirty minutes is often far more valuable than several distracted hours.

The holidays also provide something that is often difficult to find during term time: the opportunity to practise without the immediate pressure of the next lesson, examination or concert. That freedom allows us to explore, experiment and rediscover why we enjoy making music in the first place.

Of course, continue working on your technical exercises and steadily develop your repertoire, but also give yourself permission to play purely for enjoyment. Dust off the book of Star Trek themes, learn that favourite pop song, improvise a little or simply revisit pieces you love playing.

Some pupils will feel inspired to practise more than ever this summer. Others may naturally ease back for a few weeks before finding their motivation again. Both are perfectly acceptable.

The important thing is to keep returning to your instrument.

Parents and carers can play a valuable part too. Ask your child to play something for you, listen to a short section of their practice or simply ask them what they are working on. Whether they are developing technical exercises, solving a difficult passage or thinking about musical interpretation, talking through the process often helps reinforce their learning.

I look forward to hearing about everyone’s musical adventures when we return in August.

Thank you for what can only be described as a spectacular year.

Watching our pupils develop, perform, support one another and continually exceed expectations has been a privilege.

Before signing off, one final thought for parents and families:

Music is not only for pupils at a specialist music school. It belongs to everyone.

So if there is an old guitar in the loft, a trumpet gathering dust in the cupboard or a piano waiting patiently in the corner of the room, perhaps this summer is the perfect time to play a few notes.

Who knows where it might lead?

Have a wonderful, restful summer, and thank you once again for being part of the ACMS family.

See you all in August.

KK