The Cumnock Tryst

11/06/2026

💓🎶🎻 It was wonderful for our songwriting group -- which has been taking place weekly at The Nest Wellbeing Group - Cumnock over the past few months -- to give their very first public performance yesterday at The Nest!

The group performed a set that included the premiere of some original songs they have written together, having been working with the fantastic Paul Brunton of Rock 'n' Role Models.

For several members, this was their first time performing in public, so it was all the more impressive to see just how much the group has learned and grown, and to hear all their creativity come to life.

08/06/2026

Following today’s news of James MacMillan’s appointment to the Order of the Thistle, there’s an opportunity to hear his music in his home town this week.

On Saturday, James will conduct his moving anthem 'Who Shall Separate Us?' as part of Glasgow Chamber Choir’s concert.

Written for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the work was heard by millions around the world and has since become one of James’s most cherished choral compositions.

Join us for an evening of beautiful and inspiring choral music 🎶

🎟️ Tickets available here: www.thecumnocktryst.com/glasgow-chamber-choir

08/06/2026

🎖️👏 Congratulations to our Artistic Director, Sir James MacMillan, who has been appointed by the King to the Order of the Thistle!

Widely regarded as Scotland's most prestigious award, the Order of the Thistle comprises just 16 knights and ladies, personally appointed by the King entirely through his own accord, without advice from government or any third party.

To have our founder honoured in this way is a source of immense pride — for us, for Ayrshire, and for the wider world of Scottish music. 🎶

01/06/2026

Next up, Glasgow Chamber Choir comes to Cumnock!

Join us on Saturday 13 June at 5pm in St John's Church, Cumnock, for a superb programme featuring music by James MacMillan, Judith Bingham, C.V. Stanford, and J.S. Bach.

Highlights include MacMillan's Missa Brevis and Who Shall Separate Us?, performed in the beautiful setting of St John's Church.

🎟 Tickets available now: www.thecumnocktryst.com/glasgow-chamber-choir

25/05/2026

🎵 THE CUMNOCK TRYST 2026 PROGRAMME IS LIVE! 🎵

We’re delighted to unveil an extraordinary line-up for our 2026 festival!

From 1–4 October 2026, we’ll welcome extraordinary artists including Jess Gillam, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The Wallace Collection, David Childs and The cooperation band.

Alongside this, there’s jazz with Seonaid Aitken and her quintet, Scottish traditional music from Hannah Rarity, plus inspiring performances from young and local musicians, including the Riverside Centre and CAMPS.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now!

Check out the full programme and book your tickets at: www.thecumnocktryst.com/2026-festival

17/05/2026

🎹🎉 We were so lucky to welcome Jeneba Kanneh-Mason to Cumnock Old Church last night, to give a superlative recital featuring music by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Florence Price.

The concert marked the launch of our 2026 Festival programme, which is now live on our website. Tickets are on sale exclusively to Friends and Patrons until 25th May, when public booking opens.

You can become a Friend today for just £30 per year. Our Friends and Patrons are a vital source of support for all the work we do in our community. If you're interested in joining us, for more information, please visit https://www.thecumnocktryst.com/friends-and-patrons

05/05/2026

This weekend sees the return of our fabulous sister festival, the Boswell Book Festival 📚✨

On Saturday 9th May we are delighted to be supporting an event featuring the inspiring Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason. Kadiatu is not only a remarkable voice in her own right, but also the mother of pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, who will perform at our Festival Launch Concert on Saturday 16th May 🎹

To make the most of both events, we’re offering a special joint ticket deal with a small discount available via our website. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience two enriching events from the same family!

🎟️ Find out more and book here: www.thecumnocktryst.com/jeneba-kanneh-mason

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason | Sat May 9 | 12:00
TICKETS: bit.ly/KadiatuKannehMasontickets

Don’t miss this inspiring true story of one family’s aspiration and stunning achievements.

Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason is the mother of seven classically trained musicians, including cello virtuoso Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who was Young Musician of the Year and who achieved worldwide fame playing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Isata Kanneh-Mason, who made her debut at the BBC Proms in 2023 and released an album showcasing the works of Clara Schumann.

In her eloquent memoirs, “House of Music”, and, “To Be Young Gifted” and Black", published by Oneworld Publications, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason opens up about what it takes to raise a musical family in a Britain divided by class and race, and what it's like to come of age in these turbulent times when Black artistic self-expression is so often met with disparagement and abuse online - and offers a hopeful, powerful way through.

Their story is presented in association with our partners The Cumnock Tryst, and you can book your tickets through the following link: bit.ly/KadiatuKannehMasontickets

04/05/2026

🎶 Just 2 weeks to go! 🎶

Have you ever wanted to try singing in a choir… or simply spend a joyful afternoon making music? Now’s your chance!

Join us for a wonderful afternoon of fun with our Chorus Master, Andy McTaggart, on Saturday 16 May at the Boswell Centre, Auchinleck.

🎟️ Book your place here: www.thecumnocktryst.com/choral-discovery-day

21/04/2026

📺🎵🏆Last year, our Artistic Director James MacMillan was a member of the jury for the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, a prestigious biennial event that supports emerging conductors in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra.

From tomorrow at 8pm on Sky Arte, you can watch a behind-the-scenes documentary in three parts that follows the 20 seriously talented competitors through the final phases of the competition.

1 like. "Sky Arts - Teaser - Making A Maestro"

14/04/2026

📺🎓Check out this video from the University of St Andrews which gives an overview of the university's MLitt course in Sacred Music.

As part of this master's course, students receive teaching from a number of distinguished scholars and musicians, including our own Artistic Director, James MacMillan.

www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/divinity/sacred-music-mlittThe MLitt in Sacred Music offers a unique interdisciplinary formation in Sacred Music for musicians,...