Highland Young Musicians

Highland Young Musicians

Highland Young Musicians activities offer fantastic opportunities for young people to progress from the many school, area and independent music groups across the region. Members come from all over Highland to take part.

Our groups

There are six groups to choose from:

• Highland Regional Youth Orchestra
• Highland Schools Wind Band
• Highland Youth Chorus
• Highland Youth String Orchestra
• Highland Youth Big Band
• ‘snas (ceilidh band)
• High Life Highland Pipe Band
• Beira (folk band)

These groups provide the chance to make friends beyond local areas and enjoy musical experiences of the highest standard. Members describe HYM as a welcoming community, a family, full of “band-ter” and giving a real sense of purpose.

Places are available in all groups. We particularly welcome singers for Highland Youth Chorus and bass/guitar/vocalists for Highland Youth Big Band. You do not need to be receiving lessons from High Life Highland to apply—all young musicians are welcome!

Membership and standards

Membership is by invitation or instructor recommendation, but we also welcome musicians who are not taught by High Life Highland instructors—especially for Highland Youth Chorus. We also have a vibrant link with Gordonstoun School.

All players and singers should be approaching or above Grade 4 ABRSM/Trinity standard or have suitable experience. Musicians working towards this level and aiming to achieve it by September are also welcome.

Rehearsals and performances

HYM groups meet for intensive rehearsal days rather than weekly practices. These are usually 5 intensive Saturdays throughout the year: September; November: early December: January & February.

The season culminates in the Concerts Festival, where all groups perform for families and the public. This event usually takes place in Eden Court Theatre in March. There are other events such as specific genre workshops and also an annual Fiddlers Rally and our 2 Highland Young Musician of the Year competitions (trad & non-trad).

Costs and transport

HYM groups aim to be self-financing, and there is a membership charge (details on the HYM website). We keep costs as reasonable as possible and offer instalment payments. Free transport is provided from Wick/Thurso, Fort William, Kingussie, Grantown, Ullapool and Skye/Lochalsh, subject to member numbers.