Ayrshire-born composer, Sir James MacMillan, has spoken of his pride after accepting the Sky Arts Classical Music Award 2024.
The figurehead of The Cumnock Tryst said he was “overwhelmed” at landing the high profile accolade.
The awards ceremony took place at the Roundhouse in London and was hosted by Joe Lycett, with guests including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Dame Sheila Hancock and Sir Lenny Henry.
It showcased the very best of British and Irish arts and culture, celebrating incredible achievements across the arts.
The Cumnock Tryst was nominated in the Classical Music category and Kilwinning-born James was delighted with the win.
He said in his acceptance speech: “On behalf of everyone at the Cumnock Tryst, I’m absolutely overwhelmed and proud to accept the award.
“I set up the festival 10 years ago in an area of Ayrshire, which was described as suffering from multiple deprivation, and I was told at the beginning that it’s not a place where an intense festival of classical, jazz and folk music could happen.
“I’ve delighted in proving all those people wrong over the last 10 years. It’s been a great delight bringing all that music back to that part of Ayrshire.”
The award for The Cumnock Tryst was in recognition of their 2023 festival, which once again brought together many local community groups on stage alongside some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians.
Sir James, who grew up in Cumnock, said: “I’m delighted that The Cumnock Tryst has won this prestigious award. I’m so grateful to the team who run the Tryst and all our supporters who have maintained faith in us these last 10 years.
“The award was in recognition of our 2023 festival in which many community groups were involved. The award is for them too and for the whole community of Cumnock and the surrounding area, as we move now towards our 10th birthday celebrations.”
The Cumnock Tryst celebrates its 10th birthday this October, opening on Wednesday, October 2 and runs to Sunday, October 6.
Audiences will be treated to beautiful and moving performances from a recital by world-class pianist Steven Osborne to new works by the young composers at the local Robert Burns Academy, the fantastic Ayrshire folk musician Seán Gray to the inspiring Drake Music Scotland working with Riverside Centre service users, Hillside School pupils and Hebrides Ensemble, and a special 10th birthday concert on Saturday, October 5.
A spokesperson for the Cumnock Tryst added: “We are honoured and overwhelmed that our Artistic Director Sir James MacMillan won the Classical Music Award at the Sky Arts Awards, for his work on The Cumnock Tryst!
“This is a huge milestone for the festival and means the world to everyone at Team Tryst. A huge thank you to everyone who has been part our journey in the past ten years, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you at our 2024 festival very soon.”
To find out more about this year’s festival go to https://www.thecumnocktryst.com/
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