Glasgow woman 'waits 50 years' to achieve lifelong dream

Jennifer Beattie, from Jordanhill in West End, was thrilled to get the chance to play percussion with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

The 62-year-old’s desire to learn to play was sparked by her parents’ musical passions, introducing her to orchestral music and teaching her the tambourine from an early age.

As a result of its national Wishlist Fund competition, Wiltshire Farm Foods made its customers’ dream a reality by arranging a day Jennifer would never forget with the RSNO.
Jennifer Beattie played percussion with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Image: Sourced)

Jennifer said: “I’ve loved music all my life, so to even get to this stage has been my life’s ambition.

“I’ve also been a massive fan of the RSNO for many years - I even have a favourite seat in Block H where my late mother and I always used to sit.”

The day included a private percussion workshop with musicians Paul Philbert and John Poulter, viewing of a full orchestra rehearsal at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with Thomas Søndergård, as well as the gift of a full 2023/24 season ticket for the RSNO.

Afterwards, Jennifer said: “When I first got the email from Wiltshire Farm Foods, I couldn’t believe it.

“This whole experience just proves that the things you dream of can happen.

“I may have been waiting for 50 years, but today I have finally achieved that dream of learning percussion.”
Left to right: Philip Hague - Percussion, John Poulter – Associate Principal Percussion, Jennifer Beattie, Paul Philbert – Principal Timpani, Colin Hyson - Percussion, Simon Lowdon – Principal Percussion (Image: Sourced)

Rowan Mallon, operations manager at Wiltshire Farm Foods in Port Glasgow, said: “It was a real honour to help Jennifer tick this dream experience off her bucket list.

“She has been a customer of ours for many years and my team always finds her such a joy to speak with each week on the phone.”