Congratulations to oboist, Chris Vettraino S4, who won the Gilbert Innes Woodwind Prize competition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Juniors last weekend. A special mention must also go to S6 pupil Lewis Graham who was highly commended in the same competition on clarinet. Congratulations to both pupils.

Three of our percussionists, S2 pupils David Aiton and Ewan Millar plus Ethan Skuodas S6, have been invited to take part in Tectonics Glasgow on Sunday 8th May at 6.15pm in the Old Fruitmarket.  The students will be performing alongside professional musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and our own percussion instructor, Elspeth Rose.  Tectonics Glasgow is an annual music festival of new and experimental music presented by the BBC SSO at the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket.  This year the festival takes place on 7-8 May.

Congratulations to S2 pupil Liana Storey who has been awarded the W Lindsay Lamb memorial bursary for pianoforte.  The bursary, founded in 1932, is awarded annually to the candidate who passes with the highest distinction marks in Grade 8 in Glasgow.

Congratulations to the following pupils on their success in their recent Associated Board and Trinity examinations.

ABRSM

S1 Pupils: Elliot Ferguson Grade 4 Flute with merit, Anna Ghiro Grade 5 Bassoon with distinction, James Ross Grade 4 Bassoon with merit

S2 Pupil:  Liana Storey Grade 8 Oboe with distinction

Trinity/Guildhall

S1 Pupil:  Orla O’Shea Grade 4 Clarinet with merit

S2 Pupils: Cara Martin Grade 4 Clarinet with merit, Eilidh Mathieson and Aamina Syyed  Grade 4 Flute with merit

We are always delighted to celebrate the talent of the pupils at Williamwood so please let Mrs Selbie know if we have missed anyone out.

The Spring Concert is taking place in Williamwood High School at 7pm in the street on Wednesday 23rd March.  Tickets are available at the music department at the cost of £4 adults, £2 concession.  This should be a very entertaining evening with a variety of bands, ensembles and choirs taking part.

Our annual Young Musician of the Year competition took place on Thursday 17th March in the music department.  This year again the standard of performance was exceptionally high with the judges commenting that they thought they were at a specialist music school.  The Junior winner was pianist Liana Storey S2 with bassoonist Anna Ghiro S1 as runner up.  The Senior winner was clarinettist Lewis Graham S6 with oboist Chris Vettraino S4 as the runner up.  Congratulations to all the pupils involved.

This year again we have had numerous students competing in the Glasgow Music Festival.  All the students should be incredibly proud of their performances.  A special mention must go to two pupils:

Lewis Graham S6 winner of the Ailie Cullen Memorial prize which is awarded to the performer who, in the opinion of the adjudicators, gives the most outstanding performance of the festival.

Anna Ghiro S1 winner of the Hugh S Roberton Memorial Trophy which is presented to the most outstanding performer, under 14 years of age, in Vocal and Instrumental classes.

Other prize winners were:

Lewis Graham S6 winner of Woodwind and Brass Concerto

Lewis Graham S6 winner of the Woodwind and Brass Solos – Premier class

Lewis Graham S6 and Andrew Vettraino S6 (clarinet/bassoon) winners of the Instrumental Duets class

Alex Gajic S1 winner of the Piano Solos C class

Elliot Ferguson S1 winner of Woodwinds Solos B class with James A Ross S1 second and James R Ross S1 third

Trad. Band second place in the Folk Group class

Callum Robson second place in the Ragtime and Blues Piano Solo class

Lewis Graham S6 second and Andrew McCroskie S6 third in the Modern Woodwind and Brass Solos

Anna Ghiro S1 second and Jamie King S1 third in the Woodwind Solos A class

String Orchestra  third place in the School String Orchestra class

Senior Concert band third place in the School Concert Bands A class

Tom Simmonds S2 third place in the Violin C class

Campbell Lang S4 third place in the Woodwind and Brass Sonata class

Our annual Young Musician competition is taking place this evening in Music Studios 1 and 2 at 7pm.  Tickets are on sale at the door at the price of £4/£2 concession.  This is always an exciting event with a fantastic standard of performance on a wide range of instruments.

The dates for the music practical examinations are:

Tues 23rd and Wed 24th February

Tues 1st, Wed 2nd, Thurs 3rd, Tues 8th and Wed 9th March

Timetables are on display in the music department.

Congratulations to S4 pupil Tom who won Young Drummer of the Year 2016 at the weekend.  This is Tom’s third year of getting into the final and we are delighted at his further success this time. Click on the link below for more information.

Young Drummer of the Year 2016