A unique collaboration between Absolute Classics, Easterbrook Live and world-renowned piano makers, Blüthner, will raise the bar for quality classical music events in Dumfries and Galloway. This means the elegant Easterbrook Hall and 19th century gothic cathedral-style Crichton Memorial Church will now play host to some of Absolute Classics’ most prestigious events.
The new venture was formed out of a partnership between Alex McQuiston, director of Absolute Classics, and John McGee, managing director of The Crichton Trust which runs “Easterbrook Live”, which has recently been established to run live events on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries..
John said: “When I met Alex, he was trying to take Absolute Classics forward. We have the initiatives in place and the spaces to work with and support what Absolute Classics is hoping to achieve.”
John says he is looking forward to working with Absolute Classics, an initiative that shares his philosophy for bringing the best quality experience to as many people as possible.
He said: “Excellence can be achieved by people working together and sharing talents and
experience. Multiple minds will create something bigger. It’s all about making people feel better and giving them the best experience possible.”
The Crichton Trust recently announced a £200 million investment opportunity, through Jansons Properties (the William Pears Group), to turn a redundant and deteriorating former psychiatric hospital on the town’s Bankend Road into one of the most significant regeneration projects in Dumfries and Galloway.
The 100-acre estate offers a well established business park, has a wide range of properties available as office space, a major conference and events centre, an award-winning public realm with playing fields, a beautiful landscaped park, a 19th century gothic cathedral-style church and Scotland’s first multi-institution academic super campus housing Glasgow University, the University of the West of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway College.
“The Crichton was initially designed and built around protecting the local community,” said John. “It was Elizabeth Crichton’s dream to make the space accessible to people with mental health issues and also to build a university. She wanted to improve the quality of people’s lives and our partnership with Absolute Classics builds on this legacy.”
“We would like to say a big thank you to our dedicated audiences, patrons and trustees as well as the support of the Holywood Trust, Creative Scotland, Robertson Trust, Crichton Development Company, McMillan Hotel Group, DG Link, Thrive for Business, DGUnlimited, Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Hugh Fraser Foundation and The Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel. This programme is part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Union – LEADER 2014-2020 programme.”
