A MUSICIAN from Musselburgh has enjoyed a career highlight after taking to the stage at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Emily McDougall, 21, a fourth-year BMus student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, plays the double bass.

A former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil, they are a member of the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, having studied at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki earlier in the year.

Emily joined student musicians from Helsinki and London, under the baton of conductor Sakari Oramo, to perform Gustav Holst’s suite The Planets, described as “one of classical music’s most extraordinary acts of imagination”, alongside Jean Sibelius’s The Wood Nymph and a new piece and world premiere from Finnish-American composer Lara Poe – Laulut maaseudulta (Songs from the Countryside), with soprano Anu Komsi.

The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Emily, who also attended Stoneyhill Primary School in Musselburgh, was introduced to the double bass by Gillian and Ewan Armstrong, former heads of music at Musselburgh Grammar in 2015.

Their first performance was at St Mary’s Church in Haddington, following which they were involved in many school concerts with Musselburgh Grammar.

Emily joined the East Lothian Schools Orchestra, performing throughout East Lothian, and then became part of the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, taking to the stage at major venues throughout Scotland.

Emily joined the BMus course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow in 2021 after two years with their junior department, and starts their final year this month.

In January, Emily travelled to Helsinki to study at the Sibelius Academy and performed with the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra.

On one occasion, the President of Finland was in attendance at a benefit concert for Ukrainian music education at the Helsinki Music Centre.

The Sibelius Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, were invited to perform in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. The performance can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.

Following this, Emily planned to travel to Helsinki for a repeat performance at the Helsinki Music Centre, home of the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra.

Emily Dougall, centre, plays the double bass at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London

Emily said: “It was such a fantastic experience; I’m so grateful to the Sibelius Academy for letting me take part in this project.

“Growing up and watching the Proms on TV every year, it felt surreal being in the Royal Albert Hall and playing such a prestigious piece like Holst’s The Planets.”

Following graduation next year, Emily, who now lives in Glasgow, plans to join a Masters course, potentially at the Sibelius Academy, and their ambition is to work as an orchestral musician.

Emily’s parents, Iain and Sharon McDougall, who live in Stoneyhill, said: “We’re very proud of what Emily has achieved – being present to watch Emily be part of such a prestigious performance was special.

“It’s particularly satisfying to see all Emily’s hard work and dedication be rewarded with such an amazing experience.

“Since Emily was introduced to music at high school, it sometimes felt like there have been many hurdles to overcome. With the exception of some inspirational music teachers at Musselburgh Grammar, it felt like Emily was being steered away from a career in music. Additionally, East Lothian Council were cutting musical tuition when Emily was at school and asking pupils to pay, which undoubtedly resulted in students missing out.

“We’re proud to see Emily’s talent, determination and single-mindedness now being rewarded.”