Children Get Connected with ScottishPower and Celtic Connections

YOUNG musicians from across Scotland are being given a unique opportunity to perform live at the globally renowned Celtic Connections folk festival.

Festival sponsor ScottishPower has launched its second Powerful Performance contest which encourages youngsters to celebrate their traditional musical heritage.

Last year's inaugural competition proved to be extremely popular, with talented youngsters from all over the country taking part. The judges were delighted with the response and are hoping for an enthusiastic uptake again this year.

Heather McDonald, Group Sponsorships Manager at ScottishPower, said:

"We have sponsored Celtic Connections since 2007 and last year we decided to see what home-grown talent is being nurtured in our schools and to give young people a chance to participate in the Festival." "We were so pleased with the response to the competition, and the really high standard of entries we received, that we are delighted to launch the Powerful Performance again this year". "The initiative invites S1 - S6 youngsters across the country to submit a short recording of traditional music using instruments, vocals, or a mixture of both."

Entering the Contest

Secondary schools interested in entering ScottishPower's Powerful Performance are asked to submit one 4-5 minute recording of a melody or song, to a specially selected piece of music.

The judging panel at Celtic Connections and ScottishPower will release a choice of five traditional tunes which the bands can choose from to record their entry.

The winning group will perform at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in January 2011, as part of the final Education Concert of the festival, as well as the highly competitive Danny Kyle Open Stage competition, which the winner will automatically be entered into.

The St Ninian's High School Ceilidh Band was a worthy winner last year, demonstrating to the judges great musicality and musicianship.

To register:

To take part in the ScottishPower Powerful Performance, please contact Nicola MacNaughton at the BIG Partnership, on 0141 333 9585 /
[email protected]

Once registered, schools will be sent an information pack including a selection of traditional music to base their entry around and have until 23rd October to prepare and submit their entry.

Groups entering can be of any size, as long as pupils are aged between S1 - S6 and recordings must be submitted on CD or audio file.

A shortlist of finalists will be decided by 24th November with a winner announced on 10th December. The selected school group will perform at Celtic Connections on Friday 29th January 2010.