Once more the Society's orchestras have had a full programme of over 30 concerts throughout the year varying in both their size and venue. These would not have been possible without the continued support and contributions of the members. The highlights include:

• The Society's annual concert held in May 2007 which was well attended. In a change to our usual venue of Aberdeen Arts Centre the concert was held in the Cowdray Hall. The evening also saw the launch of our latest CD “Live at the Music Hall” which had been recorded at our November 2006 rally; 
• We were once again invited to appear as part of Aberdeen's Tartan Day Festival and undertook an open air concert in the town centre in August 2007;
• In September 2007 members of the Society travelled to Inverness for the weekend, playing at a fundraising concert in aid of Highland Hospice. 
• The Society, along with guests from other societies, undertook their annual Fiddlers Rally at Aberdeen Music Hall in November 2007, playing once more to a sell out audience. Paul Anderson swapped his traditional role as guest fiddler and compered for the evening. One of the members of Viba Spelemannslag, a Norwegian folk group that had previously hosted four of our members at a Stavanger Folk Festival, was able to attend the rally. We look forward to continuing to develop our links with the Norwegian group; and
• A 10 hour sponsored fundraising music marathon was held in February 2008 to raise funds including for the planned trip to Stavanger in June 2008.

Throughout the year a number of small evening concerts were undertaken at sheltered housing complexes and churches and were well attended by members. The Afternoon Group continued to entertain at hospitals, nursing homes and churches undertaking approximately 2 concerts per month, lead this session by Dave Beaton.

Other events

The Society holds a number of music manuscripts that have been donated to it over the years. During the year these were referred to the University of Aberdeen for authentication. Paul Anderson, a well known North East fiddler and researcher at the University's Elphinstone Institute, verified that they are original manuscripts - four by Peter Milne a well known Deeside fiddle composer and one by the legendary J Scott Skinner. The committee agreed that these should be held on loan by University of Aberdeen as part of their archives, which can be viewed by the public, and the handover occurred in a ceremony in November 2007. The occasion was also marked by the playing of some of the tunes at the Society's November rally at Aberdeen Music Hall.

October 2007 saw the announcement of the nominations shortlist for Best Strathspey & Reel Society - a category in the fifth annual Scottish Traditional Music Awards organised by Hands Up for Trad. The Society was one of four shortlisted. One of the committee attended the awards ceremony at Fort William in December and although the Society did not win the committee take great encouragement from being in the top four nominations.

January 2008 saw the Society celebrate its 80th anniversary, the first rehearsal was held on Monday 23 January 1928. Eighty years later we still rehearse on a Monday evening.

Work was undertaken to update our website. A combined content management system and ecommerce facility was introduced so that supporters can keep up to date with our news and to provide an additional method of selling the Society's CDs. A new domain name was acquired for the relaunch: www.aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk

In addition Bruce Millers, one of Aberdeen's largest music shops, started stocking our CDs during the year.

The Society has actively sought to increase the amount of publicity it receives to raise public awareness of its activities. As a result we have had several articles published in local newspapers including the handover of the music manuscripts, our nomination for the Scottish Traditional Music Awards, our 80th anniversary and the music marathon.

During the year the Society became an Associate Plus member of Making Music (the National Federation of Music Societies, registered charity in England & Wales no 249219 & Scotland No SC038849). Making Music aims to support and champion voluntary music and offers members a variety of advice and services including access to a competitive block insurance scheme specifically designed for music societies.

Although there were a few members that elected not to renew their subscription for the 2007/08 concert session the committee is reassured by the number of new members that have joined. Our thanks go to all members, old and new, who have played at the many concerts held during the year and helped in various ways to keep the Society running so smoothly.

Future plans

Looking forward to the forthcoming year the members are busy preparing for a three date run of the Fiddlers' Spectacular at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen in April 2008. This is the first time a Spectacular is being staged since His Majesty's was refurbished. The show is being jointly hosted with Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society and will feature special guests Caledon and local comedy group The Flying Pigs. A night of traditional Scottish music, song and comedy is ensured.

Plans are also being finalised for an orchestra trip in June 2008 to Stavanger as it jointly celebrates European City of Culture along with Liverpool. Fifteen members of the orchestra will be participating in various events including a joint concert with the Norwegian folk group Viba Spelemannslag. The Society has applied to Aberdeen City Council for a £1,800 travel grant as Stavanger is one of Aberdeen's twin cities.