The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is recruiting amateur musicians for the first ever Scrapers and Tooters project in Perth (10th and 11th September 2005, Perth Concert Hall at Horsecross). The project, which has been running in Edinburgh for four years and launched in Aberdeen last year, encourages adult amateur musicians (including those who have played in the past but may have become a little ‘rusty’) to take up their instruments for a weekend of intensive music-making.

Scrapers and Tooters offers participants the opportunity to work on a classic from the repertoire, rehearsing as part of a full orchestra under a professional conductor and with coaching from SCO musicians. The musical focus of the weekend will be Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, and the workshops culminate in an informal performance for family and friends on afternoon of Sunday 11th September in the new Perth Concert Hall.

Scrapers and Tooters is open to all amateur orchestral players. In order for participants to get the most out of the weekend they should have some ‘scraping’ or ‘tooting’ experience and have at least some experience of playing in a group, although this need not be with an orchestra.

The project is FREE, and places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so early booking is advisable. Anyone interested in participating should contact Peter Sparkes, SCO Education Officer, on 0131 478 8353 or email peter.sparkes@sco.org.uk

Scrapers and Tooters Perth is supported by funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Norwich Union, and takes place as part of the ‘Come Away In’ weekend of celebrations to mark the opening of the new Horsecross venue.