North Ayrshire’s junior and senior concert bands are celebrating after returning victorious from the National Concert Band Festival.

The Junior Band lifted a Gold award with the Senior Concert Band winning a Platinum award, the highest accolade on offer.

On Saturday, April 13, the Junior Band gave impressive performances of At Twilight by Tyler S Grant, Infinity and Beyond by Philip Sparke and Fires of Mazama by Michael Sweeney.

The Senior Band took to the stage on Sunday and impressed the judges with a tough programme consisting of Choreography by Robert Sheldon, Just As You Are by Rob Wiffin and Arabesque by Samuel Hazo.

Aileen Muir, Musical Director of North Ayrshire Schools’ Junior Concert Band, said: “I’m immensely proud of our talented young people. Their hard work and commitment paid off as they performed to their absolute best at the festival finals.

“Many thanks to our instructors, music leaders, support staff and families for the team effort involved in assisting such a young group to achieve an incredibly high standard.”

Matthew Chinn, Associate Head of Junior Conservatoire Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Musical Director of North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band, said: “I have had the pleasure of conducting the North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band at seven NCBF National Finals in successive years, but the performance on Sunday evening at the RNCM stands out for me as being really quite special.

“The performance given on the day was bursting with energy, emotion, control, colour and musical interpretation well beyond their years.

“The Platinum award is testament to the countless hours of individual practice, ensemble rehearsals, commitment and determination of every one of the young musicians.”

Caroline Amos, Head of Service (Inclusion), Education and Youth Employment, said: “We would like to congratulate our Junior and Senior Concert Bands on these most impressive results at the weekend.

“We have a wealth of musical talent in North Ayrshire’s schools, and events such as this one give young people the chance to shine and receive the recognition they truly deserve.”