ABERDEENSHIRE musicians will next month host a concert to raise funds for music students fleeing the war in Ukraine to study in Scotland.
The concert, featuring members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Instrumental Music Service and Sistema Scotland/Torry Big Noise, will help fund the living expenses of Ukrainian music students applying to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the new academic year.
Taking place under the umbrella banner of Musicians for Ukraine, the concert follows an earlier performance in May, which raised more than £4,200.
Amongst the concert’s organisers is Ukrainian violinist Nataliia Naismith, who said: “I was really humbled by the response to the last concert, so when I heard about a need to raise funds for young musicians from Ukraine to meet their living costs, I thought holding another concert would be a great way to provide support.
"It is also a fantastic way of raising awareness of music and its power to transform lives.”
Aberdeen City Council conductor Gareth John, who will direct the concert, also commented: “It's a privilege to be able to help any young musician. For those fleeing from conflict, it is doubly important that we support young musicians who are the future building blocks of creativity out of the chaos of war.”
A Royal Conservatoire of Scotland spokesperson added: “We look forward to welcoming a number of young artists from Ukraine who will be starting or continuing their studies with us in Scotland in the new academic year.
“We’re really grateful to all the kind-hearted people and communities who are supporting them by raising funds and in a range of other ways and demonstrating they are warmly welcome here.”
The concert will take place at 3pm on 3 July at Midstocket Church, Harcourt Road, Aberdeen. Tickets cost £10 for adults with free entry for under-18s. Tickets are available only on the door.
