News Story

Scotland's young people will lend their voice to our spectacular Aberdeen Standard Investments Opening Event: Five Telegrams.

Young performers aged 16 - 26 will participate in bringing to life the artistic vision of event creators Anna Meredith, one of the country’s most exciting contemporary composers, and Tony Award winning artists 59 Productions. 250 young people from across Scotland form a youth chorus which will perform live during the event. This incredible opportunity is open to young people aged 16 – 26 who enjoy singing with their peers and would like to take part in the International Festival in front of an audience of thousands, as part of this unique event. No previous singing experience is required as participants will be guided through the rehearsal and performance process. All participants will also receive a Year of Young People Participation Certificate signed by the First Minister.

Find out more about the youth chorus here

We also advertised a range of job opportunities specifically for young people which will see them take on active roles across every aspect of the event. Roles available included Camera Operators and Filming Coordinators to assist in capturing the event, and Event Assistants who will work directly alongside International Festival staff to ensure the successful promotion and delivery of the Opening Event.

The International Festival is also working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh as second year and third year students from Edinburgh College of Art’s Performance Costume course work to create designs and costumes which will feature as part of the event. The 35 students involved in the project have co-designed a creative brief centred on Five Telegram’s core themes and have collaborated with 59 Productions and Anna Meredith directly throughout their creative process.