We are delighted to launch our new animated film, merging the artistic talents of Edinburgh painter, Colin Povey and eighteen-year old violinist Emma Baird, a former pupil of St Mary’s Music School, who has now gone on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
This is part of our ongoing campaign to grow our network of supporters for the School’s future plans within the iconic Old Royal High building on Calton Hill, and so the film will be released on Giving Tuesday, 27 November, a national online initiative to facilitate the support of good causes.
The innovative short film is set to Vivaldi’s Largo from The Four Seasons (Winter) performed by Emma and young musicians at the School. This plays out against a backdrop of a specially commissioned painting of Calton Hill, incorporating the Old Royal High. Colin Povey’s artwork has been animated by Scott McHenry in a rotoscope-style, bringing to life the message: Whatever the Season…please support St Mary’s Music School.
Commenting on the new film, Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher said:
“Whatever the Season” campaign will raise awareness about a perfect fit, the bringing together of two of Scotland’s national treasures – St Mary’s Music School and the Old Royal High – and will encourage broad-based financial support for our young musicians on Giving Tuesday through online giving.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support which our proposed move to a new home at the Old Royal High has received from the arts, education and cultural communities, as well as Edinburgh residents. Colin Povey and Scott McHenry are the latest two artists to respond and demonstrate their support. The Anonymous Sculptor and Domenica More Gordon have also lent their considerable creative talents to the cause. We thank everyone for their ongoing and stalwart support.”
The money raised through Giving Tuesday will go directly into the school’s Bursary Fund. The great majority of instrumental pupils at St Mary’s Music School benefit from means-tested scholarships funded by the Scottish Government and by the School itself, through the philanthropically supported Bursary Fund. This funding ensures that the school is accessible to all musically talented young musicians, irrespective of financial means.
To show support for the Bursary Fund and the most deserving pupils, please visit the Support Us page. If you would like to receive news updates and information about performance from St Mary's Music School, please visit our Sign-Up page.