Musically-minded pupils across Scotland are being urged to enter a competition to win the opportunity to perform live at the internationally renowned Celtic Connections folk festival.

ScottishPower’s Powerful Performance competition is open to secondary schools across Scotland and offers a unique opportunity to perform at the annual event in Glasgow.

The winning group will perform at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of the final Education Concert of the festival. They will also be automatically entered into the highly competitive Danny Kyle Open Stage competition. The closing date for entries is Monday 31st October 2011.

The successful group will also win a Masterclass from one of the acts performing at Celtic Connections in 2012. This will be held in early January 2012 to help the pupils prepare for their performance.

To enter, pupils in S1 to S6 across the country must submit a short 4-5 minute recording of traditional music using instruments, vocals, or a mixture of both. The musical groups can be any size and can select their own piece of traditional Scottish music to perform.

Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, Celtic Connections’ Principal Sponsor, said: “This is the sixth year ScottishPower has supported Celtic Connections and Powerful Performance which is now in its third year, is a fantastic way to involve secondary school pupils in this celebration of Scottish music, its Celtic traditions and heritage.

“ScottishPower is committed to supporting the arts in the UK through its sponsorship of Celtic Connections, as well as others, and we hope music students from across Scotland enjoy competing in Powerful Performance.

“The opportunity  to perform in front of a crowd at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is a fantastic  prize. The 2011 winners, Montrose Academy, fought off tough competition to become a great addition to last year’s celebrations and we anticipate another great competition this year.”

Donald Shaw, Celtic Connections Artistic Director, said: “Thanks to the ScottishPower Powerful Performance, some exceptional young musicians will be given the chance to showcase their talent at Celtic Connections in February. To perform on the festival’s Main Stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall before taking part in the prestigious Danny Kyle Open Stage competition is a tremendous opportunity for school pupils. We’re very much looking forward to hearing this year’s entries and discovering yet more fantastic musical talent."

In 2011, Celtic Connections featured performances by Sir Tom Jones, The Waterboys, Mavis Staples and a very special Love and Money reunion show. Over 18 days in January, music fans attended approximately 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops, which took place in 20 venues across Glasgow.

Celtic Connections 2012 runs from Thursday 19th January – Sunday 5th February.  The programme for the 2012 festival will be announced on Tuesday 18th October 2011.

For further information on Powerful Performances, please contact Roanna Katz on 0141 333 9585 or email Roanna.katz@bigpartnership.co.uk

Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of ScottishPower.

For more information please contact:

Eleanor Marshall on 0141 333 9585 / 07974 214 438 or email eleanor.marshall@bigpartnership.co.uk
or
Kay McCarthy on 0141 333 9585 / 07736 774 338 or email kay.mccarthy@bigpartnership.co.uk
or
Claire Snedden, Celtic Connections press office on 0141 353 8070 or email clairesnedden@glasgowconcerthalls.com

Notes to Editors:

• ScottishPower became Principal Sponsor of Celtic Connections in 2007. Through the sponsorship, the company encourages its staff and the communities it operates within to experience and enjoy the arts. ScottishPower’s partnerships reflect the company’s belief in the importance of enabling culture to be accessible for all.



• Every January, fans and musicians from around the world flock to Glasgow for the city’s 18 day folk, roots, world and traditional music festival – Celtic Connections. The largest winter music festival of its kind and ranking amongst the finest folk festivals in the world, Celtic Connections comprises 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, workshops, free events and late night sessions taking place over 18 days in 20 venues across Glasgow.



• Renowned for its diverse and ambitious programme, Celtic Connections’ fundamental aim is to make links through traditional music and culture. Every year the festival brings together a top line-up of 2,100 artists from around the globe to celebrate the influence of Celtic music on cultures around the world.



• For background on ScottishPower log onto www.scottishpower.com and more details about Celtic Connections, log on to www.celticconnections.com.