A KIRKHOPE Primary School pupil has made history by claiming three titles at the regional qualifiers for the Robert Burns World Federation Schools Festival held in Hawick, writes Kenny Paterson.
Eight-year-old Robin Lowthian picked up the recitation, instrumental and solo singing awards in the primary 4/5 section, and now heads to Aberdeen next month to represent the Borders in the Scottish finals. Joining Robin in the Granite City will be Angus Reid of Ettrick Primary who won the primary 6/7 solo singing title, the fourth year in a row he has picked up an award.
Robin’s dad, Ian, a talented accordionist and composer himself, told TheSouthern: “Robin is really excited about heading to Aberdeen and it will be good to see Angus up there as well representing the Borders.”
Among the highlights of Robin’s performance was Scotland The Brave, There’s a moose loose aboot this Hoose and Wi’ a 100 Pipers, all played on piano, and the singing of Donald, Where’s Your Troosers?.
The number of competition spaces filled was at a record high this year, with more than 140 taken up across 19 primary schools and 25 snapped up by three secondary schools for their regional finals.
Robin Dodyk, convener of the Borders Association of Burns Clubs’ Schools Competition, said: “In total, we had 91 reciters, 50 solo singers, 28 instrumentalists, including pipers, plus one choir qualifying for the finals.
“Without a doubt the talent on show this year was the best ever. A special mention and congratulations must go to Robin Lowthian from Kirkhope, who is the first pupil to win all three of the competitions he entered.
“I should also like to commend the number of entries from secondary school pupils for the finals, an excellent number given the demands on the time of these talented young people.”
The junior and senior sections of the Robert Burns World Federation Schools Festival will be held on April 21 and 28.
Winners:
P4/P5, Recitation – 1, Robin Lowthian (Kirkhope); 2, Erin Boyle (Stirches); Instrumental – Robin Lowthian; 2, Daniel Frankland (Denholm); Solo Singing – Robin Lowthian; 2, Aisha Huke (Yarrow).
P6/P7, Recitation – Jasmyn Davidson (Stirches); 2, Murray Armitage (Parkside); Instrumental – Eryn Rae (Parkside); 2, Katy Watters (Melrose); Solo Singing – 1, Angus Reid (Ettrick); 2, Milly Coltherd (Lilliesleaf).
S1/S2 Recitation – 1, Lorimer Linton (Galashiels Academy); 2, Anton Kobus (Galashiels).
S3/S4 Recitation – 1, James Jobson (Kelso HS); 2= Sally Thomas/Robert Scott (Hawick HS).
S5/S6 Recitation – 1, Liam Short (Hawick HS).
S3/S4 Instrumental – 1, Corey McLean (Kelso HS).
S3/S4 Solo Singing – 1, Lauren Smith (Kelso HS).
Primary Piping – Ben Simpson (Edenside).
Secondary Piping – Corey McLean (Kelso HS).
Junior Burnsian 2012 – Eryn Rae (Parkside).
Senior Burnsian 2012 – Liam Short (Hawick HS).
Primary School Choir – Duns (qualified for the finals to be held in West Lothian).