Stewarton Musicians at the Grand Hall

Youngsters from Stewarton Academy were among the many pupils from across East Ayshire Secondary Schools to perform in the Instrumental Music Service Gala Concert at the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock.

The Stewarton Academy Senior Wind Ensemble - currently preparing for the NCBF Competition in November - and the Stewarton Academy Guitar Group both featured on the exciting programme of musical talent involving an amazing 600 families from across East Ayrshire.

The event featured fine performances from bands and vocalists from all nine East Ayrshire secondary schools, including Auchinleck Academy and Cumnock Academy Pipes and Drums, East Ayrshire Secondary Schools String Orchestra and many more.

It was clear that the excellent music, ranging from traditional Scottish airs, to classical, to modern pop, was very much to the taste of the audience. The evening was enjoyed by all and ended in resounding applause for the young people.

East Ayrshire’s Instrumental Music Service provides tuition for over 2200 pupils and continues to promote music-making in many ways. Instructors offer tuition in brass, guitar, highland pipes, percussion, string, woodwind and voice. The Service also supports additional tuition for cello, double bass, guitar and percussion.

Councillor Iain Linton said: “Both the Grand Hall and the Palace Theatre have been extensively refurbished recently, and it is good to see these facilities used in the way intended. It is genuinely rewarding to see young people so actively engaged in a sphere of activity that they can enjoy, or return to, at any point in their lives.”

Executive Director of Educational & Social Services Graham Short said: “I am deeply appreciative of the hard work and commitment of all pupils and staff involved in producing this year’s concert, which has now become a well-established event in Council’s Arts and Cultural Calendar.”