Garnock Academy Music Department are celebrating a full sweep of the prestigious North Ayrshire music competitions.  Three pupils from Garnock Academy were awarded the titles of  Young Chorister of the Year, Young Singer of the Year and Young Musician of the Year.

Young Chorister of the Year

Morna McGeoch a 4th year student at Garnock won the Young Chorister competition on 19 September 2007.  The competition is open to pupils from the North Ayrshire Schools Junior & Intermediate Choirs.   Over 31 pupils entered the competition and twelve finalists took part in the competition.  Morna received a beautiful glass trophy as her prize.

Young Singer of the Year

Kirsty Williamson a 5th year student won the Young Singer competition on 13 February 2008.  Each of the nine North Ayrshire secondary schools hold their own Young Singer competition and each school winner competes for the overall title of North Ayrshire Young Singer of the Year.  The criteria for the competition is to perform two contrasting songs of Grade 5 or above.  Kirsty performed two beautiful pieces of music - Think of Me by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Me voglio fa ‘na casa by Donizetti.  As the overall winner Kirsty received a trophy and music vouchers from Biggars Music.  A specially commissioned trophy will be displayed in school.

Young Musician of the Year

Percussionist James Crook a 5th year student won the Young Musician competition on 20 February 2008.  Again each of the North Ayrshire secondary schools held their own heats and the school winners competed in the final.   James performed two stunning pieces of music - Concerto for Marimba Movement 4 and Robbin’ Harry.  James also received a trophy and music vouchers The Provost’s Award Trophy will be displayed in the school.

Mae Murray Principal Teacher of Music at Garnock Academy said “I am absolutely thrilled that Garnock Academy have won all three North Ayrshire competitions.  This is the first time one school has managed to scoop all three prizes.  I would like to congratulate Morna, Kirsty and James for their hard work and commitment.  They are all outstanding musicians and I am sure will go very far in their musical career.”