Musicians celebrate Ayr 800

AYR 800, the year-long festival of events celebrating the 800th anniversary of Ayr receiving Royal Burgh status, this weekend offers a veritable feast of good music.

On Friday 4 March the BBC Symphony Orchestra is giving a concert featuring:

Tickets £16.50, £15.50, £10.50, £9.50, and £3 school pupils are available from Ayr Gaiety Theatre Box Office telephone 01292 611222, or at the Town Hall on the night.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is one of the UK’s leading orchestras. It has played a central role at the heart of British musical life for over 70 years, and, as the flagship orchestra of the BBC is the backbone of the BBC Proms, making at least a dozen appearances each year, including the First and Last Nights.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra has a strong commitment to 20th century and contemporary music and since its foundation in 1930 has given the premieres of over 1000 works by composers such as Bartók, Britten, Hindemith, Holst, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Vaughan Williams.

Ayr Music Club

AND three young musicians, who were given their initial musical training in Ayr, are returning to give a concert at Ayr Music Club on Saturday 5 March in the Assembly Hall of the University Campus Ayr at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the concert, priced £7, are available at Mackay Music, 3 Cathcart Street, Ayr, or at the door.

This concert is being held in conjunction with the Ayrshire Music Festival and is also part of the Ayr 800 celebrations. All three performers were winners at previous Festivals. The 80th Festival is from 7 - 18 March this year, mostly in Ayr Town Hall.

Laura Bailie, flute, went to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to study with David Nicolson. She continued her studies in Amsterdam and at Indiana University in the States.

She is a founder member of the Scottish Flute Trio, and has performed with many orchestras including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Paragon Ensemble.

Kennedy Leitch, cello, was taught by his father, John, and went on to further studies. He is a freelance musician having played with the BBC SSO.

Lisa James, euphonium, had her interest in music nurtured by Joyce Barr and Jack Malpas. She then studied at the Guildhall School of Music and now lives in Essex.

She is an instrumental teacher in the London Borough of Havering and plays with Redbridge Brass. The Band has retained the title of London Southern Counties Champion for the last 3 years. All fingers are crossed for a 4th success.

The accompanist for the evening is Hazel Leitch who needs no introduction to Ayr audiences. Hazel has pursued her love of accompanying by working with many local artists including Willie Strachan, Wendy Ann Wilson and Sheila Hay. She is head of Music at the University Campus Ayr. She is also a good friend to the Ayrshire Music Festival. She often accompanies instrumentalists in the senior classes and has even stepped in at the very last minute when someone’s accompanist failed to appear.

About Ayr 800

In 2005 the historic town of Ayr in Scotland marks the 800th anniversary of King William the Lion of Scotland signing a Charter in 1205 proclaiming Ayr to be a Royal Burgh.

Ayr Guildry, an association of local business people which itself dates back to 1325, is currently organising Ayr 800, a 12 month long calendar of events to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year.

Brian Martin of Ayr Guildry said: “It seems fitting and appropriate to celebrate 800 years of Ayr’s history in as many different ways as possible.

“Since the inception of this project, I have been amazed to discover the number and diversity of clubs, associations and groups that flourish in our town. Ayr 800 will provide them all with a magnificent opportunity to play a prominent part in our year of celebrations.

“For people and businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry, Ayr 800 will provide the chance to attract visitors who might otherwise not have come to our town in 2005.

“And Ayr 800 will offer an additional platform for local businesses to promote their products, skills and services to the world.”

Brian Martin concluded: “Regular updates to the calendar of events will be posted on the Ayr 800 website at www.ayr800.co.uk

“All businesses, clubs, societies and individuals who would still like to take part in this great celebration of our town’s history will be most welcome, and should get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

-ends-

Picture attached: Ayr Music Club concert accompanist Hazel Leitch.

Web links:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/2/prweb212035.htm
http://i-newswire.com/pr8013.html
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/view_release.php?rID=3738
http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=767

Enquiries:

Brian Martin, Ayr Guildry. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 442103.
John Hay, Clerk to Ayr Guildry. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 264091.

Websites:

http://www.ayr800.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/symphonyorchestra

Issued on behalf of Ayr Guildry by Fame Publicity Services.

Media enquiries:

Murdoch MacDonald
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland KA7 2AY

Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com
Web: http://www.famepublicity.co.uk

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