Stage set for musical extravaganza at Usher Hall

More than 400 performers will descend on the Usher Hall later this month for the Midlothian Schools Festival of Music concert.

The concert, organised by Midlothian Council’s Instrumental Music service, takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 17 and will feature 12 ensembles.

The groups include the Midlothian Schools Symphony Orchestra, the Saltersgate Choir and the Midlothian Clarsach Ensemble

The evening will end with all of the ensembles playing together for a rousing finale.

The compere for this year’s concert will be Alasdair Hutton, the distinguished Scottish broadcaster who is better known as the voice of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Dr Alasdair Mitchell, who teaches conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, will conduct the Midlothian schools orchestra.

Tickets are already on sale, with funds raised being reinvested in the Instrumental Music service.