Edinburgh International Festival - Healing Arts Opening Celebration 2024
The first-ever Healing Arts Scotland (launched as part of the Festival) was a week-long celebration of arts and health events highlighting the joy that the arts brings to those who take part, and their importance to the nation’s physical, mental and social health.
The show opened with an awe-inspiring 150-strong Massed Band from Oi Musica, featuring an intergenerational cast of brass, wind and street drummers. Youth players from Brass Blast and SambaYaBamba Youth Street Band (totalling 100 young people), united with adult players from Shunpike Social Club, Brass, Aye? and many more from across Central Scotland, Argyle and Fife. We even had 2 guest players from Brussels!
'Vibes of a Hundred Marchers' is an original piece co-composed for the event by members of our youth group Brass Blast.
Brass Blast were delighted that their piece of music opened a show that featured Scottish Ballet's cast of community performers, plus pipers Tryst and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Our Massed Band joined the pipers for a rousing Finale arrangement of Martyn Bennett's 'Mackay's Memoirs' played by all musicians together.
