East Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year

Competing in the final were – Rona from Loudoun Academy (voice), Charmaine from The Robert Burns Academy (piano), Emma from St Joseph’s Academy (voice), Scott from Doon Academy (drum kit), Amiee from Stewarton Academy (voice), Charlie from Grange Academy (baritone horn), Jack from Doon Academy (voice), Andrew from Loudoun Academy (accordion) and Kate from Grange Academy (voice).

The competition was adjudicated by Alexander Davidson, PT Music Instruction and Performance, Moray Council and Caroline Dickov, Faculty Head of Expressive Arts at Barrhead High and Vocal Lecturer at RCS Junior Academy. The standard was extremely competitive and the judges had a very difficult task selecting the winners.

Charlie from Grange Academy won the competition playing a beautiful piece called Zelda on the Baritone Horn and Aimee from Stewarton Academy and Scott from Doon Academy were runners up performing Requiem from Dear Evan Hansen and The Spirit of Radio respectively. Charlie will also be representing East Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musician national final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next month.

Provost Jim Todd attended the competition and was on hand to present the winners with their awards. He 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 – Charlie and runners-up - Amiee and Scott.

“Heartfelt thanks go to the judges Alexander Davidson and Caroline Dickov. Let me tell you, they had a tough job on their hands, the standard of performance was exceptional. As you all know I am the rock and roll Provost and so I want to give a wee special shout out to Scott’s drumming, it was just fantastic. Rock on Scott!

“For musicians, there is nothing like performing to a live audience so thanks go to the Music Service, led by Julie Carrie, for giving our young people the opportunity to show what they can do, and wow, did they ever.”