Young musicians demonstrated impressive rhythm and technique during the percussion classes held on Wednesday afternoon at Elim Pentecostal Church, as part of the ongoing music festival. Adjudicator Tim Ridley presided over a varied programme featuring drum kit, snare drum, xylophone and timpani performances from pupils representing schools across Perthshire.
The afternoon opened with Class 348: Drum Kit Solo (Level 3), where competitors performed Come As You Are by Nirvana. A large field of fifteen drummers took part, including representatives from St John’s RC Academy, Perth Grammar School, Kinross High School and several other local schools. The class showcased a wide range of styles and confident performances from young percussionists.
At 3:05 pm, attention turned to Class 326: Snare Drum Solo (Level 2), with performers presenting Fantastic Clock by Peter R. Birkby. Competitors Jasmine Ferguson (Bertha Park), Oliver Marwick (Kinross High School), Hannah McIntyre (Perth Grammar School) and Estee Blum (St John’s RC Academy) demonstrated precise sticking and control.
Percussion technique continued to be tested in Class 333: Xylophone Solo (Level 2), where Hannah McIntyre of Perth Grammar School performed Sea Blues by Clive Malabar.
This was followed by Class 334: Xylophone Solo (Level 3), featuring After Dark by William Edwards. Erin McGee (Bertha Park High School), Max Rutherford (Kinross High School) and Joseph Denholm (The Community School of Auchterarder) delivered lively interpretations of the piece.
The afternoon resumed with Class 327: Snare Drum Solo (Level 3) at 3:55 pm, where competitors tackled Jiggity Jig by Jan Faulkner. Performers included Andrew Thompson (Kinross High School), Emily White and Andrew Millar (both Perth Grammar School), Max Rutherford and Hugo Flinn (Kinross High School), and Luke Robertson (Bertha Park).
Timpani specialists then took the stage for Class 341: Timpani Solo (Level 3), performing Waltz of the Warlocks by Lizzie Davies. Andrew Thompson and Hugo Flinn, both from Kinross High School, demonstrated their control of tone and dynamics on the orchestral drums.
The session concluded with Class 342: Timpani Solo (Level 4), where Cole Marshall (Perth Grammar School) and Orlaith Lindsay-Dorward (St John’s RC Academy) performed Boil the Kettle by Adrian Sutcliffe, bringing the afternoon to an energetic close.
Adjudicator Tim Ridley commended the performers for their preparation and musicality, noting the high standard of percussion playing across all classes. Winners of the various sections were announced at the close of each class.
Results
Young Percussionists Impress in Solo Classes
n the Drum Kit Solo (Level 3) class, Alexander Allan of Bertha Park High School took first place with 86 marks. Close behind was Oliver Marwick of Kinross High School with 85, while Nuala Maclennan of Perth Academy and Gregor Robertson of Perth High School shared third place with 83 marks each. The class contributes towards The Premier Percussion Co.’s Shield, awarded to the most promising entrant across the drum kit solo classes.
The Snare Drum Solo (Level 2) class was won by Oliver Marwick of Kinross High School, who scored 86 marks. Hannah McIntyre of Perth Grammar School placed second with 76, followed by Jasmine Ferguson of Bertha Park with 73. Performances in the snare drum classes count towards Wilkie’s Music Shield for the most promising snare drum performer.
In Snare Drum Solo (Level 3), Andrew Thompson of Kinross High School secured first place with 84 marks, narrowly ahead of Emily White of Perth Grammar School on 83 and Luke Robertson of Bertha Park High School on 82.
The Xylophone Solo (Level 3) class saw Max Rutherford of Kinross High School take top honours with 76 marks, with Joseph Denholm of The Community School of Auchterarder close behind on 75. This class also counts towards Wilkie’s Music Shield for xylophone.
In the Timpani Solo (Level 3) class, Andrew Thompson of Kinross High School placed first with 79 marks, ahead of Hugo Flinn, also of Kinross High School, who scored 74. The Timpani Solo (Level 4)class was won by Orlaith Lindsay-Dorward of St John’s RC Academy with 79 marks. These classes contribute towards The Premier Percussion Co.’s Shield for timpani.