St John’s pupils entertain confidently

The audience in St John’s Kirk on Wednesday, May 23, was treated to a delightful programme from the young musicians of St John’s RC Academy under the direction of principal teacher Jenny Hossick.

Pupils from P5 to S6 entertained with an enjoyable mix of solo and ensemble items.

For some youngsters this was their first solo performance but few nerves were in evidence in lively performances from Charlie Doogan on cornet and James Finnon and Weronika Piotrowska on clarinet.

More experienced were the two senior violinists.

Tamzin Longhorn’s performance of Niel Gow’s plaintive‘Lament’was heartfelt, while Maria Foley entertained with an energetic ‘Tarantella Napoletana’.

Three final year students making their last appearance in a school concert gave fine performances.

Ulla Gingule was convincing and expressive in the‘Trolley Song’, while Robert McCall gave a contemplative rendition of Philip Glass’‘Dead Things’ on the piano.

Jack Dailly proved to be an accomplished performer, encouraging the audience to sing along as he accompanied himself on guitar with the favourite‘Wild MountainThyme’.

Solo performances were interspersed with a variety of ensemble groups.

Secondary brass got the concert off to a foot-tapping start with Chris Hazell’s‘Hallelujah Drive’, the instrumental group played the popular‘Game of Thrones’theme while primary brass took us to the movies in style, with Sarah Watts’ ‘Movie Buster’and‘24/7’.

The concert closed in mellow mood with a set of three waltzes from the warm tones of the fiddle group.

The summer term is a particularly busy one for schools with external exams, trips and new timetables to contend with so particular thanks must go to the pupils, staff and instructors of St John’s Academy music department for producing such a varied and well-balanced programme.