PUPILS from Hillside School are following up their excellent concert at Cumnock Tryst 2015 with a collaboration for this year’s festival.

They have been working with story teller Marion Kenny, Matilda Brown from Drake Music Scotland and Sir James MacMillan to create a very special piece inspired by the story of Cumnock’s very own Bell Tree.

The idea came from the 2016 festival’s artist in residence, celebrated brass player John Kenny and, as well as helping to compose the music, the pupils have also made special paintings to illustrate the story.

Head teacher, Debbie Skeoch, said: “ Our pupils have thoroughly enjoyed working with Marion, Matilda and Sir James, and are really looking forward to performing the piece they have created in the Cumnock Tryst.

“We are delighted that they have the chance to be part of the festival again and the whole school are really looking forward to seeing them perform. We are all so proud of what our young people can achieve and can’t wait for everyone to see how fantastic they are.”

Cumnock Academy will stage the pupils’ performance of The Bell Tree at 12.30pm on Friday, September 30. It will be part of a concert that also features contributions from the Riverside Centre and brass players from Cumnock Academy. Months of planning will be put into action as the Tryst gets underway with a piece by Ayrshire composer and instrumentalist, Scott Lygate. Called The Barony A Frame, it takes place in Cumnock Town Hall on Thursday, September 29, at 7.30pm.

The Story of The Bell Tree by Marion Kenny

A very long time ago in Cumnock there was a very magical tree known far and wide as the bell tree. When the old Parish church was demolished in 1860 the people of Cumnock took the ornate bell made of solid bronze and hung it on a tree.

The voice of the bell was a joyful sound that could reach miles. It would chime to let people know of the birth of a baby, bless a marriage and ensure happiness for the newly weds, or entice poeople to gather to share their stories.