Ciaran Walker, third-year BMus Music student at the Reid School of Music, talks about his charity concert, 'An Autumn Serenade', that helped raise over £1000 for Sepsis Research (FEAT).

"On 1st October 2022 we had a wonderful musical evening in St Michael's Inveresk, where I am organist and Director of Music, raising funds for Sepsis Research (FEAT) in memory of my grandad Robert Gray, who lost his own sepsis battle in 2020. The concert, entitled 'An Autumn Serenade', was opened by myself on the famous Lewis pipe organ, followed by a range of performances from other local young musicians.

"The audience of over 100 people enjoyed a varied programme of music split over two halves with an interval in between, where there was a bake sale to help raise more funds for the charity. The programme included everything from Handel to jazz, and each item was performed with a real sense of style and musicality. I was delighted with each of the young musicians who took part. There were 20 musicians in total. Those involved came from the University of Edinburgh (students and some alumni), Newtongrange Silver Band (Angus Edmond), Musselburgh Grammar School, Dunbar Grammar School and North Berwick High School."

"At the end of the evening, I presented the cheque for £960 to Sarah Weatherson and Kimberley Bradley - further donations came in after the concert bringing the total raised to £1210. Both Sarah and Kimberley are sepsis survivors themselves and volunteer with the charity. On reception of the cheque, the two ladies thanked the musicians and the audience, and also said a few words about the work of the charity. After this, I said a few words of thanks myself before we moved to the finale. The finale was an arrangement of 'How great thou art' for all to sing, led by an ensemble of 16 musicians, which I conducted.

"It was a really successful evening, and I'm so pleased to have raised so much money for such a fantastic cause."