Bolton wanderers’ warm welcome to Killie
14 Feb 2012 13:03:53
Twenty-five young musicians and five teachers travelled all the way from England for a taste of Scottish culture and hospitality – to Kilmarnock.
And both Scots and English music pupils enjoyed a weekend of making music, making friends and having fun together.
On a visit arranged by Paul Wood, the Council’s Instrumental Music Service Manager, Bolton Music Service String Orchestra joined with East Ayrshire String Orchestra in a musical weekend, working with traditional Scottish fiddler Alastair McCulloch.
Paul Wood said: “Alistair, one of Scotland’s leading fiddle players, had already worked with East Ayrshire String Orchestra last year, so we knew that the pupils would be inspired by his playing and teaching”.
The Bolton wanderers, who did a 320-mile round trip to get to Kilmarnock, stayed in the pleasant surroundings of Dolphin House, next to Culzean Castle. For some, it was the first time they had ever been north of the border.
Saturday was spent rehearsing at Kilmarnock Academy. The budding musicians and were treated to a concert by Alistair at the end of the session, before heading off for a spot of ten-pin bowling.
On Sunday, the students were joined by piping instructor Willie Gilmour and young piper Daniel Johnston from St Joseph’s Academy. This gave the Bolton boys and girls their first experience of the unique sound of the highland bagpipes. The pipers then joined the strings for a performance of ‘A New Dawning’ – the tune composed by Alistair McCulloch for the opening of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in 2004.
Ben Chadwick, Deputy Head of Bolton Music Service, said: “It was a truly fabulous weekend, during which the students from Bolton had their musical lives thoroughly enriched. Alastair proved to be a superb mentor, enthralling and inspiring in equal measure and his choices for repertoire proved extremely popular.
“Alongside the musical experiences, the beautiful surroundings and the extremely entertaining bowling trip contributed to the opportunities for our students to make new friends and experience new opportunities.
“Thanks to all involved in making the trip so thoroughly relaxing, fun, inspiring and overall very, very special”.
Conductor of New Century Strings Sarah Read, who helped organise the visit, said: “This was a really exciting weekend of high quality music making and cultural exchange.
“Having tried some traditional Scottish tunes at home, the weekend gave us the chance to experience the music at first hand in a truly authentic way. This was the first time that many had had the opportunity to listen to a live recital of traditional fiddle and accordion music, also to experience the bagpipes at close hand.
“The trip to the west coast of Scotland from Bolton gave many an opportunity to experience a new environment and has really widened horizons.
“The organisation and generous support from East Ayrshire Music Service was tremendous in making this weekend such a memorable experience for us all”.
Councillor Hugh Ross, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “This cultural exchange gave both Scots and English students and teachers insights into other types of music and methods.
“The weekend finished in exactly the way that it should have, leaving all the young people thoroughly inspired and eager to explore the possibility of another venture between the two music services. Both sets of pupils are keen to meet up again and are discussing a return visit in September this year”.
ends
For further information, contact Elaine Scott on 01563 576013 or email elaine.scott@east-ayrshire.gov.uk