Island band strikes gold at school championship

Talented young people from Arran were celebrating after a memorable victory at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championship.

The event was held in Kilmarnock and saw some of the most talented young musicians take centre stage for a prestigious event.

For the first time, the Isle of Arran Music School (IOAMS) had two bands competing.

And in their first-ever competition the Performance Band in the Junior C category – competing against seven other bands from across Scotland - came out on top after wowing the packed auditorium with their performance of ‘Mhairi’s Wedding’.

This was an amazing achievement for an inexperienced group ranging from primary school-aged students to S4 Arran High School pupils. Pipe Major Scott Figgins navigated the students through their first performance with assuredness and he was ably assisted by drum tutor Thomas Barnes.

The Competition Band took part in two separate classes (Novice B and Freestyle) and performed extremely well in both. In the ‘freestyle’ section they chose to play a show-stopping tune ‘One Day Like This’ by the band Elbow.

They were accompanied onstage by fiddlers from the Arran Fiddle Club and a host of musicians from Arran High School Music Department. A fantastic performance was delivered to a packed hall at the competition.

Andrew Dickie, Faculty Leader of Music and Computing at Arran Academy, said:

“The work of the IoAMS is only possible by the generosity of its external funders who we wish to thank for their continued support, which without, could not continue this invaluable work.

“These young people are a credit to the island and the local community. Over a fifth of Arran High School pupils took part at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships this year – by far the greatest number of participants we’ve ever had.

“It was a proud day for everyone involved.”