Last night, Matthew Allison won the title Stewarton Academy Young Musician of the Year for his performance of Rachmaninov's Six Moment Musicaux: IV which was described as virtuoso piano playing by adjudicator, Paul Wood.

Mr. Wood, head of instrumental services at East Ayrshire, commented on the particularly high standard of the competition at Stewarton Academy which saw 22 young musicians compete in three classes, Junior (S1 & 2), Intermediate (S3 & 4) and Senior (S5 & 6). He described the quality of music making as exceptional and said that we should be proud of Stewarton's Music Department.

Second place in this prestigious competition went to vocalist, Ashley Snaddon, whose performance of If I Were A Bell was outstanding. Third place in the Senior Class went to Greg Leyden, another talented pianist, who played Lowside Blues.

The Intermediate Class was dominated by vocalists, first place went to Nicola MacLeod who sang Wishing You Were Somewhere Here Again and second place to Beth Morton for On My Own. Saxophonist, Eilidh MacQuarrie took third place in this class with her performance of The Swan.

Wind instruments prevailed in the Junior Section and first place went to clarinetist, Amy Beveridge, whose performance of Menuet was commended by the adjudicator for its excellent phrasing. Second place went to Kirsten Beveridge for her jazzy saxophone piece (title not listed in the programme) and third place to trumpeter, Ryan Miller, for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Accompanists for the competition were Mr. McGuire, Ms. Watson and Ms. Mallon.

Head Teacher Sandra Lesley commended all the competitors for their performances and thanked Mr. Wood for his adjudications. She also announced that Mr. Wood would be presenting prizes at this year's prize giving in June.

Ms. Lesley praised the Stewarton Academy music department which has recently been inspected by the school management. She said that the department team, led by Mr. Greg McGuire with Ms. Waston and Ms. Mallon worked well together. She particularly noted the quantity and variety of performance opportunities now open to pupils at the Academy including concerts, competitions and the school show.

This year's school show, Fame will be performed in the school gym hall on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June.