Young talent secures future of Ayrshire piping with festival victories
The future of traditional music in Ayrshire looks bright after a successful showing at the Ayrshire Music Festival. The festival’s annual solo piping and chanter competitions took place at Auchenharvie Academy in Stevenston on March 8th. This year’s event saw a fantastic turnout from primary and secondary school pupils, making it the best entry in over five years from schools across the county.
The winners of the competition showcased exceptional talent, with many schools taking home prizes on the day. A piping judge at the event, Josh Fraser, expressed his enthusiasm for the future of piping in Ayrshire, stating that the region is in a great position moving forward. The festival is organized and run by the Caledonian Piping Club, led by Gerard McClumpha and Tommy Bingham, along with a team of dedicated volunteers.
Gerard McClumpha mentioned that the event featured nearly one hundred performances throughout the day, making it the best festival to date. Some of the winners included Luke Nelson from Glebe Primary, who won in the Primary Chanter – March category, and Hugo Ritchie from Wellington School, who took home the top prize in the Secondary Chanter – March category. Other winners like Luke Murray from Marr College excelled in the Piping ‘Goose’ Competition, showcasing their impressive piping skills. These talented individuals set a high standard for future piping competitions in Ayrshire.
Wellington School emerged as the Primary School Chanter Champion, while Marr College claimed victory in the Secondary School Piping Category. Caelyn Wood from Marr College was recognized as the Overall Senior Piper, demonstrating outstanding skill and ability in piping. All the winners and finalists deserve recognition for their incredible performances at the Ayrshire Music Festival.
In conclusion, the future of Ayrshire piping is in capable hands, with dedicated individuals showcasing their talent and passion for traditional music at the recent festival. The competition highlighted the exceptional skills of young participants and demonstrated the thriving piping community in the region. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their impressive achievements at the Ayrshire Music Festival.