The Cults Percussion Ensemble must have one of the best group names of all time. To many it will immediately come across as something sinister, a touch spooky and possibly a bit dramatic too. They are certainly two of those but the use of the word “Cults” here is easily misinterpreted. Cults, in this case, is the suburb of Aberdeen.
This is the only album by the group. Assembled by percussion teacher Ron Forbes in 1976, the average age of the students was just 14. They came from a few of the schools in the area, including the Cults Academy, Ellon Academy, Aboyne Academy, Inverurie Academy and Powis.
Over the years the original privately pressed album has achieved a little notoriety, not just because of the very beautiful music, but also because of the notable presence of one future star – Evelyn Glennie, here just 13 years of age.
Repertoire
Forbes: Autumn Carillon
Barrozo/Forbes: Baia
Traditional/Forbes: My Love She’s But a Lassie
Forbes: Circles
Forbes: Percussion Suite, Movement III
McKinnon: The Little Dancer
Forbes: Two Jubilee Pieces
Forbes: Erlangen Polka
Traditional/Forbes: Dream Angus
Rodgers/Forbes: Surrey with the Fringe on Top
Traditional/Forbes: Irish Washerwoman
Forbes: Polymers
Performers
Percussion: Evelyn Glennie, Elspeth Rose, Carole Coutts, Michael Urquhart, Rhoda Beddie, Jennifer McKay, Lesley Ponting, Elizabeth Fyvie, Angela Forbes, Susan Neil & Margaret McKinnon
Conductor: Ron Forbes
