THERE was a fine turnout of parents, tutors and supporters when budding young Clacks musicians showcased their talents at a competition last week.

Alva Academy played host to the live finals of Alloa Rotary Club's inaugural Young Musician Competition on Thursday, June 2.

It came after young musicians who either live in or are in education in Clackmannanshire submitted recorded pieces with eight juniors and eight seniors earning a place in the live finals.

Alloa Rotary Club members have been working to make the event a success since last autumn, led by Lindsey Spowage.

She said: “We are relieved and delighted to have successfully run this, our first ever Young Musician Competition.

“It would not have happened without the insight and input of music tutor Mandy Kettles who advised us throughout.

“Each of the 18 Rotarians working at the event also quietly carried out their allotted jobs and made the evening run smoothly.

“I’d like especially to thank Alun Morgan, president elect of the club for lending his fine piano and managing the sound desk, also past president Iain Ballantine as compère for the night.”

Alva Academy's Finlay Rowe, from Menstrie, was named as the junior winner for his selection of tunes on bagpipes.

Runner up was George Dodd, from Dollar and also an Alva Academy pupil, who played The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini on alto saxophone.

It was a close contest in the senior category with joint winners named.

They were Mark Forbes, from Alva and a pupil of the academy, who played Leonard Bernstein’s Red, White and Blues on trumpet; as well as Lornshill Academy pupil Michael Black, from Alloa, who played Prelude No 9 by Alan Bullard on the piano.

Runner up was Emily Meeten from Tillicoultry, a pupil at Alva Academy, who sang She Used to be Mine by Sara Bareilles.

Jan Cunningham and Lesley Easton, music teachers from the Falkirk area, were hard pressed to select the winners.

John Scott, president of Alloa Rotary Club, presented the awards and thanked those who supported the competition, including headline sponsors Norland Joinery Ltd.

He added: “The past two years have been very difficult for this age group and musicians have not had the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience during the pandemic.

“That they had the bravery to do this tonight was quite wonderful and the Rotary Club of Alloa is most grateful.

“Finally, may we say a massive thank you to the parents, carers, teachers and tutors who work so hard to nurture talent in our Wee County.

“This was our first competition and we hope it won’t be our last.”