Discover
Young Sounds UK bring Discover training to Aberdeen
We’ve been running our Discover training in England since 2008 and we’re now looking to start the programme in Scotland! Starting with free sessions in Aberdeen.
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The Big Give – Bronte, Ghara and Enneko’s Story
From the Isles of Scilly to the Shetland Isles, musical potential stirs in every corner of the UK. In the Isle of Skye, three siblings – Bronte, Ghara and Enneko – are embarking on their musical journeys with the help of Young Sounds UK and The Henry McKenzie Johnston Award.
Bronte
The oldest of her siblings, 15-year-old Bronte’s musical journey started at the age of five when she began recorder lessons at her primary school with her teacher, Nan Cleghorn. Nan would go on to teach recorder to her siblings, too!
After a few years of playing recorder, Bronte was drawn to a new instrument and started learning traditional Scottish guitar. Loving the instrument, she also taught herself classical guitar and, after taking her Grade 4 exam, went to a summer course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Now, she is learning piano and has used her Young Sounds financial award towards piano lessons.
“Music has been a big part of my life since I was very little. It’s helped me grow more confident; I’ve met many of my good friends through music activities and lessons. Music is also a way to forget about any worries I have through focusing on developing a skill which is fulfilling, although it can also be infuriatingly vexing at times! When I play, I can isolate and be in my own world for a little bit, which is great because our house can get quite busy sometimes.”
“I’ve used my award to fund lessons for a new instrument, the piano, which would’ve been much harder without Young Sounds’ support.”
Ghara
Bronte’s younger siblings saw her enjoying music and wanted to follow in her footsteps! Ghara started playing music at the age of three, picking up the recorder and then the whistle with her teacher Nan. She still plays whistle now at 13, in a Ceilidh group at a local pub every fortnight.
When she turned nine, she decided she wanted to try something new and was drawn to the saxophone! Just six months later, her saxophone teacher invited her to play at Skye wind band, playing a mix of genres and styles.
“Music means a lot to me. I love learning new things about my saxophone and about different styles of music. It fills me with joy every time I perform in front of friends and family, they’re always very supportive.”
“I’m very grateful for Young Sounds’ support. It’s helped me with paying for my saxophone lessons and improve my playing. I’m hoping to sit my Grade 7 exam next year and the lessons will help me with that.”
Enneko
Like his older sisters, Enneko also took to music at a young age, starting with recorder lessons aged five and picking up the tin whistle soon after. As he began to play harder and more intricate pieces with these instruments, he told his teacher, Nan, that he wanted to learn the trumpet – and she turned up at his house with one!
Now 11 years old, Enneko is using his financial award towards trumpet lessons with his teacher, Jacqui Ross, to help him gain confidence in this new instrument and expand his musical horizons.
“Playing and listening to music makes me feel relaxed and happy. I like playing music from movies and I love playing the Rocky soundtrack ‘Gonna Fly Now’ by Bill Conti, with my trumpet. It’s a great motivation!”
With support from Young Sounds UK, these three siblings from the Isle of Skye were able to continue their early passion for music by exploring new instruments, genres and styles. We can’t wait to see what their musical futures hold.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge
From midday on Tuesday 2 December to midday on Tuesday 9 December 2025, donations made to our Big Give Christmas Challenge will be doubled until we reach our target of £90,000. Let your generosity stretch twice as far this giving season. Thank you!