Youth orchestra takes Western Isles Hospital by storm!

A pioneering youth orchestra taking classical music to new heights – gave a stunning performance at Western Isles Hospital recently, as part of their Outer Hebrides tour.

Nevis Ensemble took its 40-piece symphony orchestra to venues around the Outer Hebrides in August 2019 as part the biggest ever tour of the islands by an orchestra.

Conducted by Holly Mathieson and Jon Hargreaves, the relentlessly energetic group gave over 30 concerts in public spaces and community venues on Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Berneray, Harris, St Kilda, Lewis and Skye.  

A highlight of the tour for NHS Western Isles was a stunning performance in the Western Isles Hospital on August 26, which was attended by patients, staff and visitors.

The Nevis Ensemble, which claims to be Scotland’s first street orchestra, has given 130 performances to over 21,000 people around Scotland. The orchestra is formed of professional, amateur and student musicians aged 18 to 28. Many have studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

The ensemble has become well known for popping up unexpectedly in public spaces, like Glasgow Central Station and Edinburgh Airport. The project’s core aim is to “bring music to everyone, everywhere” by partnering with a number of charities to bring classical music to marginalised groups.

NHS Western Isles Patient Focus and Public Development Officer, Denise Symington, said: “We would like to thank Nevis Ensemble for taking the time to visit Western Isles Hospital, where both our patients and staff thoroughly enjoyed an intimate ‘mini-concert’. This was arranged in partnership with An Lanntair arts centre and was part of an ongoing programme of events held at the hospital to support and promote patient wellbeing.”