Congratulations to S1 pupil Aalia Shah who came second in the Violin Solos: Division B class on Wednesday evening in Ayr Festival.

Congratulations to the following pupils who have received full and half colour ties in the last few weeks at their assemblies:

Half colours

S2 Pupils

Ruaridh McInnes –  french horn in West of Scotland Concert Band

Alasdair Notley – oboe in Woodwind Training Ensemble of NYOS

Finlay Overend – trombone in Brass Training Ensemble of NYOS

S3 Pupils

Pagan Ferry McKenzie – violin in the East Renfrewshire Senior Orchestra

Emma Whitehouse – cello in the East Renfrewshire Senior Orchestra

S4 Pupils

Gareth Marchon – Grade 5 theory with Merit

Full Colours

S1 Pupil

Josef Heidinger – bassoon in NYOS Junior Orchestra

S2 Pupils

Lindsey Cairns – violin in NYOS Junior Orchestra

Chloe Ghiro – violin in NYOS Junior Orchestra

S6 Pupil

Rhianna Christie – oboe in NYOS Senior Orchestra

This month we have a number of bands and ensembles competing in the music festival.  The dates are:  Sunday 15th March the Senior Concert Band at 11.45am in the Royal Concert Hall,  Monday 16th March the String Orchestra at 3.10pm and the Junior Concert Band at 7.20pm in the Royal Concert Hall, Tuesday 17th March the Junior Cello Quartet at 10am, the Wind Octet at 2.45pm, the Senior Choir at 3.05pm and the Senior Vocal Ensemble at 6.30pm all in the Royal Concert Hall, and Friday 20th March  the Bassoon duet at 2.40pm in Renfield St Stephen’s Church. We wish them all the best.

The Spring Concert is happening on Thursday 26th March in the Street at 7pm. Tickets are available from the music department or school office at a cost of £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.  A wide variety of ensembles, bands and choirs are performing on the evening and it should be superb night of entertainment.

Our annual Young Musician of the Year competition is taking place on Thursday 19th March in Williamwood Parish Church at 7pm.  Tickets are available from the music department and school office at the price of £4 for adults and £2 for pupils and concessions.  Please come along and support twelve of Williamwood’s finest musicians perform a wide range of instruments and repertoire.  The standard of performances this year is exceptionally high so purchase your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.

The first of the practical examinations take place on Monday 16th.  These are the piping practicals which begin at 9.30am.  The rest of the Nat 5 and Higher practical examinations start on Friday 20th February.  Good luck everyone!

Congratulations to S5 clarinettist Lewis Graham who won the Eastwood Rotary Young Musician competition at Eastwood High School.  He now proceeds to the District final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Saturday 7th February.

 Congratulations to the following pupils for their success in the winter 2014 diet of ABRSM, Trinity and Rock School examinations.

ABRSM

S1 Pupils:  Orla Lang Grade 5 Oboe with merit, Aalia Shah Grade 5 Violin with distinction 

S2 Pupil:  Alasdair Notley Grade 5 Oboe with merit

S3 Pupils: Becky Paton Grade 7 Violin with distinction, Eilidh Galloway Grade 7 Piano with distinction

S4 Pupils:  Honor MacPhie Grade 4 Violin with distinction

S6 Pupil:  Daniel Higgins Grade 7 Violin with merit

Trinity College London

S2 Pupils:  Kitty Lamont and Catriona Macintosh Grade 3 Flute with merit, Emma Hunter Grade 4 Clarinet with merit

S4 Pupil:  Callum Robson passed his Grade 6 Piano

S5 Pupil:  Sarah McCluskie Grade 7 Oboe with distinction

S6 Pupil:  Amy Clark passed her Grade 7 Oboe

Rock School

S6 Pupil:  Daniel Higgins Grade 7 Guitar with merit

If we have missed out any pupils let Mrs Selbie know.

Congratulations to  S3 pupil Chris Vettraino and S5 pupil Lewis Graham who have been chosen to perform concertos with the Junior Conservatoire this session.  This is a huge accolade and we are delighted that out of the three places two have been achieved by Williamwood pupils.  The dates for their performances are:

Oboe concerto performed by Chris in December 2015  

Clarinet concerto performed by Lewis on Sunday 29th March 2015 at the RCS at 7pm.

Congratulations to Tom Potter S3 who is again through to the final 10 in the UK.  He will be competing at the Spa Centre, Lemington Spa on Sunday 1st February. Click on the link below to read all about it:

Young drummer of the Year 2015