NEW Cumnock composer Jay Capperauld returns to this year’s Tryst after an eventful two years.

Taking time out from rehearsals, Jay said: “I am here as a composer in my own right, as opposed to being asked to write something for the Tryst.

“John Wallace, a former principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) where I studied, has commissioned me to write a piece for him.

“His brass quintet, The Wallace Collection, will be performing it alongside The Dalmellington Band, and conducted by Martyn Brabbins.

“Martyn, who was with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is now artistic director of English National Opera and it is incredible to be working with all these fantastic musicians.

“In rehearsals the musicians have been so receptive to the music which is brilliant.”

Jay’s composition, called As Above-So Below, will be performed at Cumnock Old Church on Saturday, September 30, at 2pm.

He said: “It has a conceptual idea behind it and is based on an ancient piece of text that I found from the sixth century.

“It just appeared out of nowhere. No-one knows who wrote it. But it supposedly puts across a blueprint for the entire existence of the world and is quite mysterious.”

Since he last featured in the Chronicle, life has been exciting for Jay, who started his musical career by playing the piano as an eight-year-old pupil of Castle Primary.

“I have been working with the Scottish National Orchestra, who commissioned a piece for a schoolkids’ concert in which they teamed up with the makers of computer games for kids.

“My piece was played alongside a live game-play of Minecraft — my music was syncing up with the game on the screen, which was great fun.

“It is a hugely popular game online in which you can build your own worlds and that is what I was trying to recreate.

“This helped bring classical music to a younger audience, who might have been amazed to find a composer who is still alive and kicking.”

Funding from the Performing Rights Society and the Beyond Borders project has enabled the Wallace Collection to tour the UK, complete with Jay’s piece.

Among the venues are Manchester, Dublin and St Andrew’s, but Jay is hopeful it will reach further afield in time.

His compositions have been played in many theatres, including the home of the London Symphony Orchestra.

“It was incredible to hear my music performed at LSO St Luke’s and it was brilliant just to be there and soak up the atmosphere as well.

“Also having the BBC SSO play one of my pieces at the Concert Hall in Glasgow was really special, being so close to home and a place I have known since I was a child.”

But it is a return even closer to home that has brought Jay to Cumnock and he is eagerly looking forward to the fourth Tryst festival.

“You go off to all these amazing establishments and then get to bring your music back into the community where you grew up.

“That is also incredibly special. Having your music performed at places you walked past going to school is really great.

“I will be forever grateful for Sir James for getting me involved in the Cumnock Tryst, because it is really special to be able to share my music here,” he added.

Just a few days before the Tryst starts, the team are taking part in Feastival on Friday.

A spokeswoman said: “We’ll have some singers going round the pubs, including Andy McTaggart who will be the soloist in the Festival Chorus concert this year. We’ll also have a table at Family Feastival, between 4pm and 7pm in the Dumfries Arms Hotel where people can buy tickets.”