Inverclyde Music Festival 's first week hailed as success

Audiences have been treated to a packed schedule of instrumentalists, vocalists and speakers as competitors young and old competed in a wide variety of classes at the annual gala.

The excellent standard of the performances has been noted by adjudicators, with six festival participants achieving grades of 90 or above on Wednesday night alone.

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Festival president Isabel Lind told the Telegraph she had been blown away by the fantastic efforts of those who have taken part over the first five days.  

She said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant, there’s been a tremendous atmosphere.

“It’s going very well indeed, we’re very pleased with the enthusiasm of the children, the teachers and the parents who turn their children out immaculately for the festival.

“They’re a credit to their parents.

“We’ve had a number of standout performances, I think Wednesday night was one of the best nights I’ve ever had at the festival in terms of quality.

“It was excellent, you couldn’t believe what you were hearing.

“We’ll have had nearly 1,000 children perform this week which is fantastic.

“The volunteers have brilliant, over the period of the festival between 50 and 60 volunteers will have spent time here.

“I’m looking forward to the second week and our concert, which is always a great finale.

“Two of the performers from Wednesday night who got 90 and 91 will be performing again so anyone who missed their performances will be able to hear them at the final concert on Feb 3.”

Among the many musicians and speakers taking part in the week’s events were brothers Aidan and Mikey McGowan.

The pair have regularly performed as soloists in previous editions of the festival, but this year’s classes gave them the opportunity to compete as a duo for the first time.

They were cheered on by their sister Anna, mum Jo and dad Richard, who were delighted to see the pair of Craigmarloch pupils playing their fiddles side by side.

Jo said: “We’re so proud of them.

“It’s amazing and I have to say the entire festival have always been amazing at helping to include Aidan and Michael who are at Craigmarloch into the mainstream festival.

“This is their final year of school and they’re loved taking part over the years.”

The festival is now gearing up for a weekend of classes followed by another week of exciting events, which will feature Scottish country dancing, school choirs, singing games and much more.