HSD pupil wins Leng Medal competition

Last term, Matthew Jamieson was announced as the winner of the boys’ Leng Gold Medal competition for the unaccompanied singing of a traditional Scots song.

The Gold event featured 19 singers (all of whom had won medals in the 'Silver' competitions which are held annually at primary and secondary schools across Dundee and the immediate surrounding areas for pupils from P7 to S4) from ten different schools.

Matthew scooped the title in the boys’ category after impressing the judge with his rendition of ‘The Dark Island’.

His victory made it seven times in a row that an HSD pupil has won a Gold medal at the annual contest, and since 2013 an HSD pupil has won a Gold medal every year bar one. 

Matthew said, “It felt pretty good to win! I had entered the Gold competition the year before and didn’t win but this time I did!

“I’d like to thank my singing teacher Mr Love for all his help.”

He added, “At school I sing in the Cantabile choir and the Boys’ Choir and I really enjoy singing. I find it fun to go on the stage and sing your favourite songs; performing is fun!”

A further three HSD singers - Sophie Thomson and Zoe Loveday (this year's two HSD silver medal winners), and Alexandra Clark – also competed at the Gold event, while Alexandra Hay was also due to take part but had to pull out due to illness.

Aiming to encourage and promote the teaching of traditional Scots songs in Dundee schools, the competition challenges competitors to sing their song a cappella, with just one note given on a piano before they begin.

Lionel Steuart Fothringham, the School’s Director of Music, was delighted to see HSD pupils continue to enjoy success in the unique contest. He said, “It is very good to see our pupils enthusiastic to perform in the Leng Medal competitions; we had 32 pupils take part this year in the Silver and Gold competitions.

"The high quality of their singing is testament to their hard work, dedication and talent, but also to the high quality of singing instruction in individual lessons available here at the High School.”