Music success

Each of two categories was open to a single representative from each of East Renfrewshire's seven secondary schools.

Jennifer Ross (16), a sixth-year saxophonist who plays in the East Renfrewshire jazz and concert band as well as the West of Scotland's equivalent ensemble, took the instrumental title.

In the vocal section Fiona Joice (17), a fellow final-year student at Williamwood, was victorious.

Miss Ross, who has been playing for eight years, told The Extra: "I was delighted to win – especially when considering the standard of competition.

"Fiona and I both put a lot of effort into our music and we were both very pleased to win the award for our school".

Jennifer's winning melody was Aria by the French composer Eugne Bozza.

The successful songs chosen by Fiona were Se Tu M'ami, Se Sospiri by Cecilia Bartoli and Giovanni Pergolesi, and Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's Can't help lovin' that man from Showboat.

Jennifer, who lives in Clarkston, thinks there is a clear reason for the high standard of Williamwood's young musicians.

She added: "We get loads of encouragement from the music teachers at school. They really bring us on and give us time and the necessary advice to help develop our skills".

Judges Eoin Millar and Bill Campbell said they were both very impressed by the maturity of Fiona's voice.

Newton Mearns south councillor Barbara Grant attended both competitions when the instrumental section was contested in Carlibar primary and the solo voice section was showcased at Williamwood high school.

She enthused: "Fiona has an amazing voice while Jennifer is an absolutely superb musician. It's inspiring to see the talent we have in our schools. All involved hope this competition will become a regular feature in the musical calendar of East Renfrewshire".

ThIs inaugural competition was organised by Peter Daniels of Rotary and Donald Finlayson from East Renfrewshire council's instrumental music service.