Cumnock's annual music festival is set to return next month, with a packed programme and hundreds of locals set to take part.
Taking place from Thursday, October 5 until Sunday, October 8, hundreds of local groups are set to take part.
Just over 10 years ago, Sir James MacMillan CBE founded The Cumnock Tryst, a four-day music festival each October, with a commitment to building local pride, musical opportunities, profile for the region and with a significant commitment to community engagement.
The Musical Celebration of the Coalfields, involves 10 local community groups across Cumnock and the Doon Valley who are at the heart of every part of writing, composing, producing and performing their stories.
Ten diverse community groups participating in the project: Strings N Things; Things Tae Dae; Doon Academy; Robert Burns Academy; Logan Primary school; Netherthird Primary School; The Cumnock Tryst Festival Chorus; Cumnock Youth Musical Theatre; Cumnock Area Musical Production Society and Dalmellington Band.
A team of composers, animateurs and librettists will work with each group.
Whilst the festival boasts an undeniably international reach, it is firmly rooted in community, exemplified by one of the most exciting events in this year’s festival: A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields.
The culmination of three year’s work for 350 members of the Cumnock community, the initiative sought to inspire the creation of original music, under the guidance of expert workshop leaders, that responds to the surrounding landscape and social history embedded in it.
The project has been long-awaited by festival director Sir James MacMillan, who said: “The Coalfields project has been one of the most ambitious ventures undertaken so far by The Tryst, but it represents a dream come true for me."
What' on
The bulk of the celebration will take place on BIG Saturday, where members will join forces with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for two concerts showcasing the new music they have made together.
The concerts are set to be directed by Festival Director Sir James MacMillan, and will also feature new works from four Ayrshire Composers: Gillian Walker, Michael Murray, Electra Perivolaris and Jay Capperauld.
Each concert will be concluded by a new piece specially composed by MacMillan, Eleven, inspired by the various sport teams of East Ayrshire and dedicated to their loyal supporters.
Virtuosic opera singer Danielle de Niese makers her debut at the Cumnock Tryst, performing Poulenc’s powerful one-act opera La Voix Humaine.
This year’s festival also promises several exciting collaborations as Boswell Book Festival joins proceedings for The Cumnock Hour: a conversation between poet Michael Symmons Roberts and James Macmillan about their respective work and vision for the future.
Firm audience favourites will be making a welcome return including the Festival Ceilidh on the Saturday evening.
Nicola Benedetti CBE, patron of the festival, said: “Another amazing line up of local, national and international musicians, all heading to Cumnock for four days of extraordinary music-making.”
To book your tickets and find out more about what’s on offer this year, visit www.thecumnocktryst.com.
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