Brass bands to feature at Cumnock Tryst
TWO Scottish brass bands are to feature at the prestigious Cumnock Tryst music festival after the programme for the 2015 event was officially unveiled.
Whitburn Band will perform at the opening concert on Thursday, October 1, in the newly refurbished Cumnock Town Hall. will then offer a chance to relax and unwind in the festival club on Friday, October, 2, following the evening's main concert.
Scottish champions Whitburn will be conducted by Paul Lovatt-Cooper for much of its programme, with the Cumnock Tryst's artistic director and founder, Sir James MacMillan CBE, taking the baton in a performance of his own Canite Tuba. Music from Lovatt-Cooper is also set to feature, as is repertoire from Gilbert Vinter and Ayrshire composer Peter Graham.
Sir James MacMillan commented: "I am looking forward to conducting my Canite Tuba with Whitburn Band and hearing other new pieces by living composers. The mixture of this with lighter band works will start the festival with a roar.
"I'm especially pleased that the work of fellow Ayrshire composer Peter Graham will also feature in this concert."
The inclusion of brass bands in the Cumnock Tryst's programme follows a performance by the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) at the inaugural festival, which aims to bring some of the world's greatest musicians into local venues, churches and halls, with the community at the heart of all of its activities. Whitburn's programme, meanwhile, will form part of the band's preparations for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain on October 10.
Charlie Farren, band manager, said: "Whitburn Band is delighted to be able to accept the invitation from the Cumnock Tryst and be afforded the opportunity to perform at such a major arts festival. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to perform Canite Tuba as part of the band's programme and be directed by the composer of the work, Sir James MacMillan.
"Our performance will see the band reunite with Paul Lovatt-Cooper. It promises to be a hugely exciting concert, a creative mix of tradition and innovation. We're delighted to be performing at such a prestigious event."
Also taking part in the Cumnock Tryst is . The Ayrshire outfit will perform in a relaxed setting at the festival club on Friday, October 2 at the Dumfries Arms Hotel. The performance will be free to enter, with a bar open until late and supper available from the festival club menu.
Sir MacMillan added: "When I was a boy my grandfather used to take me to Dalmellington for band practice. Even in those days I was in awe of the great Dalmellington Band, which has always had such a reputation in the world of brass.
"They join us in relaxed mode and will entertain us at the festival club at the end of another full and inspiring day at The Cumnock Tryst."
The concert involving Whitburn Band takes place on Thursday, October 1, at 7.30pm at Cumnock Town Hall, 62 Glaisnock Street, KA18 1BY.Tickets cost £16, or £10 for under 26s and local residents.
is due to perform in the Dumfries Arms Hotel, 54 Glaisnock Street, KA18 1BY on Friday, October 2, with the performance getting underway at around 9.30pm. Entry is free.
More information is available by logging on to the Cumnock Tryst website.
