The BBC would like schools all over Scotland to participate in its Music Live programme for May 2000. The aim is to encourage live music making in all forms - classes, ensembles, choirs - on May 25.
For five days, from May 25-29, Music Live will run concerts and galas - classical music, punk, jazz, amateur and professional, young and older players - throughout the UK. BBC radio will stage special events and BBC 1 and 2 will broadcast a day and night of music programmes, picking up on the most exciting events around the country.
Music Live has been running for five years, but until now has always focussed on an individual city - Glasgow in 1999. Next year it is going UK-wide and focussing more on schools and children.
The BBC’s Scottish organiser, Svend Brown, hopes to ensure excellent educational work will take place in all the 32 authorities. The event will coincide with festivals planned in the Highlands, Orkney, Dundee, Stirling, Dumfries, Edinburgh and Perth.
Schools or community groups wishing to take part on May 25 should register as soon as possible before the end of January to receive a participants’ pack with information on how to get on to the Music Live database and ideas for activities. One class hopes to link up via the Internet with a twinned school in another country for a virtual concert; others are planning concerts in hospitals.
“If schools come up with a special idea but have a logistical problem, we would use the expertise we’ve got to help, if we can,” says Svend Brown.
Contact Svend Brown, Broadcasting House, Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2, tel 0131 248 4070, or the Music Live line, 08700 100125www.bbc.co.ukmusiclive
