Music Academy Returns to Dunoon

On August 2nd Cowal Music Club was delighted to welcome a return visit from the Music Academy for Schools Wind Band and Swing Band. The MAS is based in Burton on Trent and was founded by Rob Murray, tonight's conductor. It teaches music to children from primary and secondary schools in three counties.

Every other year, they have a tour and this year they came back to Dunoon, having been here in 2022.

There were two halves to the concert. In the first half the Wind Band played medleys of music from popular films including Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Disney movies, How to Train Your Dragon, Slumdog Millionaire, Moanna and The Lord of the Rings.

The second half, after a slight hiatus caused by missing lyrics sheets, featured swing classics with an excellent big band sound. Also to be commended were Ethan's singing of classics such as Sway, Embraceable You, and La Vie En Rose. The audience particularly enjoyed the Glenn Miller classics In the Mood and Pennsylvania 65000.

These young people, supported by members of staff, produced a very professional and balanced sound with great balance, dynamics and enthusiasm on this, the last night of their tour.

Thank you to all the Dunoon people who came to see the concert and donated generously to help pay for the venue and thanks to the Dunoon Burgh Hall staff for their support after a busy day.

We wish the Academy well and hope to see them again in the future.