Author: Elaine Blaikie

Light The Blue is an annual multi-artform festival for and by young people, celebrating the creativity of those aged 0-30 across Aberdeen and Shire. With events dedicated to family audiences, teenagers and emerging creatives, the festival offers a week of inspirational activity across our stages and beyond!

The 2025 festival features a series of exciting opportunities.  Running from Sunday 1st – Sunday 15th June, there’s something for everyone!

Full programme of events: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/light-the-blue/

Family Arts Day 2025

Sunday 8th June, 12:00 – 17:00pm

An exciting day of pop-up, studio and interactive performances, arts activities, live music, sports, food, backstage tours and inspirational experiences for those aged 0-12 and their families. Watch over 200 young and professional artists perform; enjoy a family-friendly backstage tour of the iconic His Majesty’s Theatre; create your own arts and crafts; participate in drop-in sports activities; and soak up the atmosphere. Entry is free and you don’t need to book a ticket!

More information here:

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/light-the-blue-2025-family-arts-day/

Find out more about Light The Blue on our website

Come and discover St Machar’s Cathedral in Old Aberdeen for yourself this April. Treat yourself to a free day out with a fun Easter trail for the younger members of the family and self-guide leaflets for all ages. Be dazzled by our beautiful windows, unique 500 year old wooden ceiling and wonderful artefacts.

To encourage younger visitors we are holding two Free entry family sessions on Wednesday 2^nd and Monday 7^th April 11.00-14.00 with easter themed crafts, dressing up, trails and more.

St Machar Cathedral April 2025

FUN RUN SIGN UPS – Term 4:

https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/active-schools-fun-run-series

Storytime with Grace Banks (British Science Week)

Join Aberdeen City Libraries to celebrate British Science Week with storyteller, Grace Banks this Saturday.  Suitable for 3-7yrs, Grace will share ‘How the rabbit got its ears’ and other tales with the audience.  These sessions are free to attend and are interactive.

To book your space please follow the links below:

Children’s Library (Saturday, 15 March from 10.30am-11.30am

https://aberdeencity.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=15421673

Tillydrone Library (Saturday, 15 March from 2.15pm-3.15pm)

https://aberdeencity.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=15421691

We are currently recruiting new members who may be interested in joining our Aberdeen Regional Choir.

Our Aberdeen Regional Choir offers a fantastic environment for young singers to develop their vocal skills, make new friends, and participate in community performances. We welcome children of all ages and skill levels, and our rehearsals are designed to be both fun and educational.

NYCOS Events – 31 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

Find out more at – www.nycos.co.uk

NYCOS Regional Choirs Team

ACMS Annual Concert – Friday 21 March at 18:30 – Music Hall

We are delighted to provide details for our Annual March Concert, featuring performances from all the pupils of Aberdeen City Music School (ACMS), one of four specialist music schools in Scotland and based at Dyce Academy.

Tickets are FREE and now available directly from Aberdeen Performing Arts as follows.

Box Office 01224 641122

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

You can also click on our poster link – ACMS March Concert Poster 2025

Other ACMS opportunities / performances to look out for in Term 3

Remaining Come & Play Dates (all budding young musicians welcome)

17:45-20:00 Dyce Academy

07 January         Woodwind

08 January         Brass

27 February       Percussion

05 March            Acoustic Guitar

ACMS Auditions – ACMS Audition Poster

14 January         Other dates will be available – just email for information

St Andrew’s Noon Recitals

11 January          S1 Pupils (All welcome)

01 February       Repertoire TBC (All welcome)

02 February       Choral Evensong

ACMS OPEN MORNING – ACMS Open Morning

02 February       All Budding young musicians welcome P5 onwards.

Cowdray Hall Lunchtime Recital

16 January by our S6 pupils – 12:45 (All welcome)

06 February by Ian Watt (ACMS Alumni)

06 March – Masterclass – Nigel Clayton/Imma Setiadi

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US ABOUT THESE OPPORTUNITES AND TO FIND OUT WHAT ACMS HAS TO OFFER YOUNG MUSICIANS.

Aberdeen City Music School

Free bus travel

If your child is turning five, you can apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) with free bus travel up to two weeks before their 5th birthday. Open up a world of possibilities and save money on public transport, making regular journeys and new adventures more affordable for your family!

Find out more about how it works and how to apply at freebus.scot

ACMS Poster Come Play

Hello from the Aberdeen City Music School.

We are opening our doors to young musicians on several evenings throughout the 2024/25 academic year. The purpose of the sessions is to let pupils and parents visit ACMS and find out a bit more about us.

This year, we are delighted to be collaborating with the Aberdeen City Music Service, and the North East of Scotland Music School (NESMS) for some of the workshops.

We are hosting different ‘Come and Play’ sessions for strings, woodwind, brass, vocal, percussion, jazz improvisation, acoustic guitars and Scottish traditional instruments. The sessions will take place on weekday evenings at the Aberdeen City Music School, Dyce Academy and will run from 5.45 pm to 8 pm. Pupils of all abilities from the ages of 9 to 17 are encouraged to participate and will have the opportunity to play in ensembles, work with ACMS pupils in sectionals, and perform in a short informal concert to parents at the end of each session. There is no charge for any of the sessions.

Here are the different Come and Play session days for 2024/25. Please click on the link and fill out the e-form to register your interest.

The details for each session are as follows:

If you know anyone who would be interested in coming along, playing some famous music, and seeing how some of the music organisations work in Aberdeen, please forward this email to them.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at musicschool@aberdeencity.gov.uk if you have any further questions.

With very best wishes,

Kevin Kyle

Director – Aberdeen City Music School

Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and our Website