Audience rocked by young stars' performances
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ALNESS is celebrating a delightful double this week after two teams from the town took the Highland capital by storm and emerged triumphant from a challenge which has swept the world.
Alness Academy and Coulhill Primary won their respective Rock Challenge heats at Eden Court with explosive performances inspired by two disasters which had worldwide impacts.
Invergordon and Dingwall academies also dazzled the Eden Court audience, the former taking second place in their category and the latter giving a showcase as previous winners of the event.
The Alness Academy performance, One Six Seven Remembered, was dedicated to the 167 men who lost their lives in the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster on June 6, 1988.
Their poignant programme notes stated: "No one should ever go to work and not return to their loved ones. We would like our performance to help make sure they are never forgotten."
Bill Alexander, director of learning and care at Highland Council, described the event as "stunning", adding: "It shows how the young people have worked hard throughout the year to pull off performances like that and it is just remarkable."
Angela Hamilton summed up the feelings of many who wrote on Facebook: "Fantastic performance and so emotional. Loved it. But it was a close call as the standard of all the schools was so good. Such talented young folk in our local area."
The children of Coulhill Primary won their heat of the J Rock Challenge for primary schools with London’s A Blaze.
Set in the capital in 1666 when the plague was rife within the streets of the city, it tells of a baker separated from his family by the blaze.
Alness Academy took to social media to share the news: "So proud of all our pupils, whatever role you played, this a real success again! Well done. Special thanks MUST also go to the adults who helped, in particular, Mr Rob."
The Rock Challenge, which invites participants to tell a life-changing story through performance, has become a global phenomenon and is championed as a means to encourage positive behaviour and as diversion from the temptations of drugs and alcohol.
Dingwall Primary also dazzled in its first year taking part, laying the foundations for the town’s continued participation for years to come.
