Dundee’s Caird Hall will come alive on Thursday 2nd April as HSD unveils a brand-new composition.
The centrepiece of the School’s Spring Concert will be the public premiere of a special 11-minute piece by the school’s Director of Music, Dr Lionel Steuart Fothringham.
As if organising the event wasn’t enough, Dr Steuart Fothringham has written the composition – an ambitious setting of Psalm 150 for chorus and orchestra – as a tribute to Rector Lise Hudson, for whom this will be the final Spring Concert before she retires in the summer.
Making the premiere even more remarkable is a musical homecoming it has inspired. In a touching tribute to Mrs Hudson’s HSD legacy, which spans 36 years, nearly 40 Former Pupils from the Classes of 2013–2025 will return to the stage to perform alongside current pupils, creating a one-night-only, multigenerational celebration of the School’s musical community.
Dr Steuart Fothringham said, “Mrs Hudson has chosen Psalm 150 as the text she wanted me to set because it mentions a multiplicity of musical instruments, allowing me to showcase the particular talents of our pupils and my colleagues. It was a real delight to be able to use that as a foundation for creating a new composition in tribute to her passion and support for music and all the positive effects it has on our pupils’ education and welfare.
“She views music as ‘the beating heart of HSD’ and has performed as part of our choirs on a number of occasions.
“To have former pupil-musicians with us on stage as well gives us a wonderful opportunity to use the power of music to unite current pupils, staff, former pupils and audience in celebration of Mrs Hudson’s love of music.”
Beyond the premiere, the programme will showcase the full breadth of HSD’s musical talent, with nearly two-fifths of the pupils in the school taking part in the highly trained choirs and ensembles.
Our Pipe Bands, Choirs, Symphonic Band, Sinfonia, Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and performers from our upcoming Senior Years production of Pippin, will all be in action.
Pieces will range from pop favourites like ‘California Dreamin’, ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ and ‘Super Trouper’, to film and TV scores like ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ and ‘Band of Brothers’, and a classical performance of ‘Mars’ from Holst’s ‘The Planets’.
The returning Former Pupils will join current pupils for a powerful rendition of the ‘Triumphal Scene’ from Verdi’s Aïda, bringing past and present together in one opera’s most iconic moments!
And, of course, the evening will culminate in the world premiere.
It promises to be an evening of amazing musical entertainment.
Tickets (standard £13; u18s £6.50) are available via Dundee City Box Office: https://www.dundeebox.co.uk/