Two young island musicians have been selected for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Senior Orchestra.
Alasdair Marnoch (violin) of Aird Tong and Donald Martin (double bass) of Stornoway will tour perform with the orchestra this summer.
The youths are taught by Neil Johnstone of Willowcroft Music.
Mr Johnstone said: “Both boys are very talented and work hard. There will have been many candidates from all over Scotland for NYOS and many will attend specialist music schools.
“Places are highly sought after, so being selected for the first ever NYOS Senior Orchestra is a real success. Playing in an ensemble is such an important part in every childs’ musical education and it is therefore a great opportunity for the boys.”
Donald moved to Lewis with his family about 18 months ago. When he and Alasdair shared a class at The Nicolson, they realised they knew each other from a NYOS String Training Course they had both participated in when they were ten.
The performed in the National Children’s Orchestra last year, along with Alasdair’s brother Gavin, who is now studying at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh and formerly with Neil Johnstone. Their work with NYOS means they have friends all over the country all sharing a common interest.
The boys will have three mainland trips this year to Glasgow, Perthshire and Edinburgh for rehearsal courses, with concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow at Easter and in the summer.
