The International School Aberdeen (ISA) has successfully concluded its role as the host of the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) European Honor Band Festival, bringing a significant cultural and international spotlight to the North-east.
The event saw 26 international schools from major global hubs - including Brussels, Vienna, Paris, Zurich, London, and Warsaw - descend on Aberdeen for a week of high-level collaboration. Staying in hotels in central Aberdeen the visiting students and teachers had a chance to explore Aberdeen, between a packed rehearsal schedule at ISA. Social highlights included shopping and food at Union Square and a visit to Codonas!
The festival culminated in a sold-out showcase concert at ISA’s 300-seat Queen Elizabeth Theatre, which was live-streamed to a global audience of more than 1000 viewers on the night, further cementing the city’s reputation for hosting world-class educational and cultural events.
While the focus was on musical excellence, the festival highlighted the development of critical ‘soft skills’ essential to the future regional economy. Under the leadership of guest conductors Edward Elkins, AMIS Emeritus member from Florida, and Dr Timothy Robblee of Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, students practised advanced collaboration, discipline, and cross-cultural communication - key attributes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework that ISA delivers.
Kent Walter, ISA Music Director, noted the professional standard of the event: "Our visitors were consistently impressed by the facilities and the professional conduct of the ISA student body. Seeing young people from such diverse backgrounds come together to produce a high-level performance in just one week is a testament to the power of teamwork and the inclusive spirit we foster here in Aberdeen."
Among the performers were eight ISA students who successfully passed a rigorous international audition process. For Grade 6 student Eva, the festival offered a unique insight into professional-level performance:
"This was my first proper band experience where everyone was so talented; I was shocked by how close our songs sounded to the actual recordings by the end. It was so much fun and I loved making friends with people from different countries and learning about their cultures."
The hosting of the AMIS festival aligns with ISA’s long-standing commitment to a robust, inclusive arts curriculum. From specialist music education in preschool to all Grade 5 students learning an instrument, the school continues to invest in the creative industries as a pillar of a well-rounded education.
As the North-east continues to diversify its economy, events like the AMIS festival demonstrate the role of international education in attracting global talent and providing local students with a truly international platform.