West of Scotland Schools String Orchestra Open Rehearsal at Ardentinny

Members of the public are invited to attend an open rehearsal of West of Scotland Schools String Orchestra (WSSO) at Ardentinny Outdoor Centre this Wednesday at 9.30am.

The WSSO is aimed at Primary 7 – Secondary 3 pupils playing at Grade 3+ level, with a view to widening access and providing further opportunities for young musicians. They are currently attending a 4 day residential course (3-6 September) in Ardentinny Outdoor Centre which will culminate in a full rehearsal/practice public performance on Wednesday morning.

Everyone is welcome to attend this performance which will be followed by tea and biscuits, prior to the orchestra’s departure. Come along and support these young musicians!

July 25, 2019February 28, 2026

A Night at the Opera

On Saturday night Ardentinny was the fortunate host to a preview of Aria Alba’s latest production. Following their opera residential at Ardentinny Centre, we were invited to an ‘open rehearsal’ of Bellini’s La Sonnambula

This was no picturesque pastoral village in Switzerland, the original setting of the opera. Instead, Dr. Nell Drew, Director of Voice & Musical Director and co-founder of Aria Alba, saw parallels with the small community customs, intrigue and general shenanigans of a Scottish highland village (she hails originally from Loch Tummel). Therefore, she decided to use just such a setting placed in the 1950s, making it eminently relatable. It is also difficult to imagine a more appropriate venue for last Saturday’s performance than the village of Ardentinny!

Aria Alba’s mission is to widen opera participation and to develop and provide opportunities for both amateur and professional singers from all backgrounds. There are usually two and sometimes three casts to ensure that everyone has a chance to perform.

We were asked to be forgiving of their state of preparedness – there are still 5 weeks of rehearsals to go. There was nothing to forgive!

As Dr. Drew explained, Aria Alba never performs opera in translation as the score depends so much on the music of the language in which it is written. Also ‘La Sonnambula’ is demanding in its range and length of arias for soloists and long renditions by the chorus. In it Bellini was “hailed not only for the beauty of his melodies but for his restless harmonic shifts into remote keys”*

Written in the Bel Canto style, it is renowned for its difficulty. The lead role of Amina, performed by Fiona Breingan, “requires a complete command of trills and florid technique…” There are equally difficult vocal challenges for the lead tenor Elvino, a part shared by Neil MacTavish and Joanna Bleau.

The company also showcased its acting ability, most notably in the part of Lisa. While the narrator, Isobel McGregor kept us up to speed with the plot as it unfolded. In short – a wholly enjoyable performance!

The Cast

Amina Fiona Breingan

Elivino Joanna Bleau, Neil McTavish

Lisa Jolanda Grijpstra, Judy Miller

Count Robert Hardiment, Jamie Whitfield

Teresa Hilarie Howarth

Alessio Les Moffat

Notary Jody Dalzel-Job

Narrator Isobel McGregor

Chorus Adam Feith, Kata Feith, Cath McNaught, Ann Dawson, Gill Quille

The performance was co-directed by Dr. Nell Drew and Robert Hardiment and expertly and indefatigably accompanied by pianist, Michal Gajzler

Aria Alba will premiere its operatic re-imagining of La Sonnambula at the Edinburgh Fringe 7 p.m. Thurs. 22 to Sun 25 August 2019, Stockbridge Parish Church, 7b Saxe Coburg Street, Edinburgh EH13 5BN.

February 14, 2014February 28, 2026

Outdoor Centre lends a hand on the beach

Working with the John Muir Trust, Ardentinny Outdoor Centre will be undertaking monitoring and cleaning of the beach from Ardentinny Hotel to Finart Bay from the end of February. It’s anticipated that the visiting groups will undertake the work every 4-6 weeks, with local Strone School children hopefully also participating.

The Outdoor Centre’s Aidan Docherty said at the recent meeting of the Community Council that the conservation project will encourage the participating children to work towards the John Muir Trust Discover Award. Mr. Docherty also suggested that the centre may be able to offer some of its resources to the community such as strimming, grass-cutting and possibly assisting in the nature trail initiative.

Additionally, Ardentinny Outdoor Centre is introducing weekend groups at the centre, promoting existing centre activities with both the John Muir Trust and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and acting as an information point for promoting the area.

February 6, 2013February 28, 2026

A New Beginning: Ardentinny Outdoor Centre is Sold

At a quiet Community Council meeting, with only three members of the public in attendance, Aidan Docherty, Head of Centre, announced that Actual Reality had bought the village outdoor centre from Argyll and Bute Council, with the deal apparently closing this Thursday, 7th February, 2013.

The purchase includes the slipway, the listed building ‘Old Ferry House’ at the slipway entrance, the outdoor centre itself, including the two ‘cottages’ together with the grounds which apparently extend to 6.714 acres (Title Disposition July 1968).

Aidan introduced Richard Miller, Actual Reality’s Finance Officer and invited any questions or expressions of concern regarding the negotiation and purchase of the centre either at the meeting or at any time in the future. He stressed the positive impact of this acquisition, highlighting the fact that the centre is approaching its 40th anniversary and that Actual Reality, which will soon become

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I’m Sue Garton, a flute teacher who loves teaching flute lessons and sharing the joys of making music, right here in Champaign-Urbana, in person and/or online. FluteKeys welcomes flutists and aspiring flute players from ages 7 through adult.

Whether you want to elevate your flute skills to the next level or you’ve never played flute before, I invite you to join me on your flute lessons journey.

Private flute lessons and ensembles at FluteKeys Studio are just the beginning of a series of motivating and enriching musical experiences. I’d love to meet you and discover your flute interests.

Welcome to FluteKeys Studio, where private flute lessons are just the beginning of a series of motivating and enriching musical experiences.

FluteKeys Studio is located at 1202 Devonshire Drive in Champaign, just a few minutes from the University of Illinois, Urbana and Savoy. Private flute lessons are offered to individuals by flute teacher Sue Garton. Students range from second grade through adult. A free trial flute lesson is encouraged, and parents are always welcome. Click here to read more about FluteKeys policies.

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Category: Ardentinny Outdoor Centre