Kintyre Schools Junior Band: National Champions

On Saturday 31 March, 25 young musicians from Kintyre represented Scotland in the finals of the National Concert Band Festival, held at the Royal Academy of Music in London. After a 13 hour bus journey on the Friday, and a good night’s sleep, the youngsters and their conductor Katy Welch, took to the stage on Saturday morning and wowed the judges with their controlled ensemble playing and fine soloists.

With a programme which included a selection of hits from The Lion King, and an outstanding performance from 10-year old tuba player Archie McVicar of Tuba Smarties, the band received great ovation from the audience.
The trip itself, and the opportunity to perform at such a prestigious event, was a great experience for the young band. Being the only band in their section to gain a coveted Gold Award was the “icing on the cake”, and was a fitting reward for all the hard work the players, helpers, parents and their conductor had put in over the past months. For the first time since 1989, a school windband from Argyll had become National Champions.

2 thoughts on “Kintyre Schools Junior Band: National Champions

  1. A great achievement for the band and their conductor. Not just secondary pupils – primary too. Well done to you all.

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