40th Anniversary Gala Concert

Gala concert to mark 40 years of music and song at Lochaber Music Festival

A spectacular evening of music is promised on September 11th when Lochaber Music Festival celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a Gala Concert in unique style. Musicians who have performed at the annual festival over the past four decades are returning from far and wide to celebrate this special milestone. Guest artistes, some more familiar these days with the concert platforms of Europe and London, taking the stage at Jazz Festivals or Celtic Connections, will come together in an eclectic show of musical prowess, returning to the festival where it all began, here in Lochaber. 

Traditional music stars include the accomplished and much sought after teacher and performer Ingrid Henderson; the versatile Mod Gold medal winners Robert Robertson and Eilidh Davies and accordion maestro Andrew MacDonald. The classical line-up features, among others, Daniel Roberts, now teaching violin at Birmingham Conservatoire; Duncan Strachan, a cellist who regularly appears as a concerto soloist with orchestras across the UK, as well as playing with the Maxwell Quartet; Helen Thomson, one of the busiest freelance harpists in Scotland; Gavin Pettinger, oboist and Director of Music at Fettes College, Edinburgh. Professional singer Angela Ducker is travelling across from Aboyne, whilst exciting Jazz trumpeter Philip Cardwell is leaving his busy schedule in Glasgow and is joined at the piano by Jillian Anderson. Well known Lochaber Showstoppers star Sheena Coull and friends will also entertain.

It is a very special one-off event with artists coming great distances to perform, and all with such enthusiasm. It will be a real celebration of the music and musicians of Lochaber and of all that the festival stands for. These exceptional artists, who will entertain and delight on Thursday, September 11th, 7.00pm at the Nevis Centre, will be supported by our very own brilliant Lochaber High School Pipe Band and Lochaber Pipe Band Quartet, LHS Big Band and players from Lochaber Music School, as well as other talented musicians, a feast of music is on offer. It will be truly a unique concert not to be missed so do come and join in the celebrations!