Senior Concert Band goes for gold

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was the venue for the National Concert Band Festival’s Scottish regional festival. Bands were welcomed from all over Scotland and Northern England to perform for the adjudicators Bryan Allen and Heather Nicol.

Alongside North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band, other bands included: Garnock Valley Community Band, Clyde Wind Ensemble, Stewarton Winds, Durham University Concert Band and Strathclyde University Concert Band.

The Garnock Valley Community Band also stood out receiving a Platinum Award for their performance, for the second year in a row.

Taking place in Glasgow on Sunday 11 January, both adjudicators were very complimentary as to the high standard of music performed throughout the day and how well prepared each band was.

NA Schools’ Senior Concert Band were awarded a Gold Award for their performance for third year running. Performance highlights included the challenging rendition of 'Okeanos' by Jack Bullock and ‘Lift Off’ by Peter Meechan before ending on a high with 'Highlights from Ratatouille' arranged by John Moss.

Ronan Watson, the pupil’s North Ayrshire Music Instructor, added: "I am delighted to see the progress the Senior Concert Band has made over the past year. This was a very fitting award for their hard work and that of the Music Service team.”

The work of North Ayrshire Music Service is a brilliant example of how North Ayrshire Council supports Article 31 of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - the right to provide opportunities for pupils to learn new skills, hone their talents and participate freely in cultural life and the arts.