On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December 2017 , our 4 wind bands represented the school, the Education Group and East Ayrshire at the Scottish Concert Band Festival Regionals in Livingston.

On the Saturday, the Primary 7 Learning Community Wind Band conducted by Miss Gillian Craven took part in the Development Section and received a GOLD Award. The P7 band comprises of the Academy’s associated primaries Dunlop Primary, Kilmaurs Primary, Lainshaw Primary and Nether Robertland Primary.  The band played three pieces; Festival Fanfare, Bugler’s Dream & Fanfare & March. This was quite a unique achievement since the band only started playing in May of this year! Adjudicators Donald Finlayson & Paul Michael highly praised the young band for their amazing efforts.

Also taking part on the Saturday was the Stewarton Academy Junior Wind Band who competed in the Achieving School Band Class.  Mr Brian Keachie was the MD and the band played Eagle Crest March, As Twilight Falls and Quantum Mission completing their programme.  The relatively young band played extremely well and were delighted to hear they had received a Silver Plus Award.

On Sunday, first onto the stage were the Stewarton Academy Intermediate Wind Band under the baton of Mr Gregor Keachie, a final year student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Conducting the Intermediate Band is a joint venture in partnership with the RCS and the Stewarton Bands Support Group. Mr Keachie is doing a conducting module as part of his final year Bachelor Education Degree.

The band played Canticum, Knights of Destiny and finished their programme with A Hero’s Return.   An excellent all round performance and received numerous constructive comments from the adjudicators Chris Bradley and John Mabon who awarded the band a Silver Plus.  The band and MD were delighted with their result.

The last band on to the stage representing the School was the Senior Wind Band conducted by their MD Mr Brian Keachie, also taking part in the Achieving School Band Class. The programme included Choreography, The Seal Lullaby and The King Across The Water.  Their difficult programme featured many of the band’s soloists who performed admirably.  The adjudicators once again gave positive comments on a well-polished band performance and the Senior Wind Band received a Gold Plus Award. 

The Scottish Concert Band Festival Awards are made on an ascending seven point scale – Bronze, Bronze Plus, Silver, Silver Plus, Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum.  Bands who were awarded a Silver Plus and above all received an invitation to the SCBF Finals.  This means that all 4 bands from the same school received an invitation to the Finals in March 2018. An unprecedented achievement from any school in Scotland. All bands will start work on their new programmes the first week back after the Christmas Holidays – well done to all involved!