East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year

Ten very talented young musicians took part in the Music Service’s East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition held at Grange Academy recently.

Competing in the final were – Gregor from Stewarton Academy (marimba), Max from Loudoun Academy (saxophone), Matthew from Kilmarnock Academy (piano), Eilidh from Grange Academy (voice), Jai from The Robert Burns Academy (bagpipes), Ben from Loudoun Academy (guitar), Mariella from Kilmarnock Academy (voice), Lily from Stewarton Academy (clarinet), Ethan from Grange Academy (piano) and Sophie from Doon Academy (cornet).

The competition was adjudicated by Laura MacMillan, Principal Teacher of Music at Belmont Academy, and Graeme Barclay, owner and founder of Beat Buddies Music. The standard was extremely competitive and the judges had a very difficult task selecting the winners.

Gregor from Stewarton Academy won the competition playing a beautiful piece called Ney Rosauro’s Marimba Concerto and Sophie from Doon Academy and Ethan from Grange Academy were runners up. Gregor will also be representing East Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musician national final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next month.

Provost Claire Leitch attended the competition with Councillor Elaine Cowan, and was on hand to present the winners with their awards. She said: “What an honour to attend the East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year competition, to hear the incredible talent of our young people and congratulate our winner – Gregor and runners-up - Sophie and Ethan.

“Heartfelt thanks go to the judges Laura MacMillan and Graeme Barclay, they really did have a tough job; the standard of performance was exceptional.

“For musicians, there is nothing like performing to a live audience so thanks go to the Music Service, led by Dr Julie Carrie, for giving our young people this wonderful opportunity.”