The 140+ people, soaking up the Sun in Haddo’s courtyard on Sunday certainly enjoyed a toe-tapping treat.
Two young, rising talents, who met each other through Scotland’s traditional music organisation, SC&T, wowed their al fresco audience with their renditions of well-loved Scottish jigs & reels, alongside their own competent & well-crafted compositions. As their music floated out of the courtyard, people flocked in to see who was playing.
Owen O’Connor, who attends Meldrum Academy, played bagpipes, Uilleann pipes, whistle & squeezebox. He was involved with ‘A Song for Haddo’ a few years ago – this was a Haddo Arts & McOpera project to introduce primary school children to musical composition & performance – and it was this experience which led him to realise that he wants to be a professional musician. Sunday proved there’s no stopping him!
Similarly, Reuben Henderson, who attends Cults Academy, admits that music is his life, and his talented guitar playing & exceptional voice, blended superbly in this musical partnership. Their performance ability, song-writing skills, and easy rapport with the audience really showed off their talents, and their joint passion for Scottish traditional music was uplifiting.
The rousing applause of the gathered crowd showed what an inspiration it was to see two 13 year olds so at home with their instruments and loving what they do. The boys told the crowd how they had been looking forward to this concert for months and they modestly thanked their audience for being so warm and appreciative.
The loud & supportive cheers rang around Haddo’s courtyard and the audience called for an encore, which was the perfect end to this first public concert of this young duo.
Keep your eyes open for these two, as soloists or as their duo: Flamin’ Haggis. They are going places … and you saw them here at Haddo – the north east’s home of developing the arts for young people.💓
This Courtyard Concert is one of a series this year, on the first Sunday of each month. The next one is Sunday 7th September at 2.30pm, featuring the choir of Haddo’s own Choral & Operatic Society.
See you there . . .
You can check out our other upcoming free Courtyard Concerts and also see all our upcoming events including our Season 2025 Programme over on our What’s on section.
