We are looking for pupils from S4 – S6 to represent Stewarton Academy in the instrumental and vocal categories of the District (Kilmarnock) Final of the Rotary Young Musician Competition. You will be competing against pupils from other Kilmarnock schools and the winner of the District Final would then progress to the Cluster (West of Scotland) Final – this usually takes place in Glasgow (place, date and time TBC).
The District competition takes place on Monday 24th November at 19.00 in Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock. On the night, you will perform two contrasting pieces and your overall performance time should not exceed 13 minutes.
If necessary, we will hold auditions in school week beginning Monday 3rd November in order to select one instrumentalist and one vocalist to represent Stewarton Academy on the night.
Applications are now open for joining Scotland’s National Youth Choirs in 2026. Speak to your Music teacher for more information, and click here to apply.
Six of our senior music pupils participated in the Three Ayrshires Choral Day as part of the The Cumnock Tryst Festival last Thursday, 2nd October.
Duncan S, Ebony S, Isla T, Isabelle S, Winnie D and Jess B spent the day rehearsing three new pieces of music with pupils from secondary schools across Ayrshire. They then showcased their work at a public performance, the first of this year’s festival.
Pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience of singing together with new people, working with expert vocal leaders and bringing new music to life. Well done to all!
Senior Phase music pupils attended Ayr Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon for a performance by Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
The event was designed to demonstrate some of the key aspects of the courses that young people are studying in class. They were treated to music by Sibelius, Beethoven and local composer Jay Capperauld. The event explored the links between colour and sound through the condition synaesthesia and certainly helped pupils to consider new and creative ways of composing their pieces of music in school this year.
Massive congratulations to Gregor C. in S4 who participated in the final of the prestigious Scottish Young Musician final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 25th May.
Finalists represented each of Scotland’s 32 local council areas, with Gregor representing East Ayrshire after winning the East Ayrshire Young Musician Competition last month.
Gregor performed Ney Rosauro’s marimba concerto, demonstrating the virtuosic qualities of the instrument in this jazzy, Brazilian influenced work. His performance was clearly well-received by the judges, who selected him as the winner of the percussion category. Congratulations Gregor on this wonderful achievement!
Last Thursday 27th March, the music department hosted its annual Young Musician competition. Ayrshire-born musician Ross Montgomery was tasked with the difficult decision of adjudicating.
The S1-S2 category winner was chosen as S2 flautist Oscar W. performing Telemann’s Sonata in F. In the S3-S4 category, the runner up was chosen as S4 pupil Greg C. who performed the first movement of Rosauro’s marimba concerto. The S3-S4 winner was Lily F. in S3 who performed Hurlstone’s Ballade on clarinet. Both Gregor and Lily will now represent the school at the East Ayrshire Young Musician on 24th April. We wish them both the best of luck.
Congratulations to all 14 young musicians who performed confidently and demonstrated the wide range of talent at Stewarton Academy. All participants have received points towards their house totals for demonstrating the school value of determination.
Congratulations to our Senior Wind Band who performed excellently at the national finals of the Scottish Concert Band Festival in Perth on Saturday 15th March.
Their performance gained them the fantastic result of a Gold Plus award! We would also like to congratulate the Stewarton Academy pupils who performed in the East Ayrshire Percussion Ensemble and Stewarton Winds who were both awarded Platinum Awards.
These amazing achievements are testament to the continued hard work, commitment and teamwork demonstrated by our young musicians and instructors.
