A GROUP of young pipers from East Ayrshire have released a new album following a memorable concert performance in Cumnock earlier this year.

EPIC New Dawn, by the East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy (EPIC), was released on CD and download on December 1.

The concert was recorded live  in Cumnock this August, and featured both EPIC and Kilmarnock Pipe Band.

To celebrate this amazing achievement, band members were invited for a “first listen” on St Andrew’s Day before the album went on sale to the public.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Members were treated to drinks and nibbles, before enjoying a recital by Pipe Major Chris Armstrong.

Chris, who is known as one of the world’s top solo pipers, was brought in as an initiative being run by Kilmarnock Pipe Band, in which they are trying to raise aspirations and invest in developing their players in a more holistic way – not solely focussed on band playing.

His recital included all the main staples of the solo pipers’ repertoire, and he then spent an hour doing a Q&A with band members and parents.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Paul Warren, EPIC project manager and pipe major of Kilmarnock Pipe Band, said: “Bands of our level do not get to put on concerts like we did this summer, nor do they get to record albums.

"This is an astonishing achievement from everyone involved and something that the people of EPIC, KPB and East Ayrshire should be very proud of.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past five years and we hope you enjoy the music.”

The album is now on sale on major streaming platforms including Bandcamp and iTunes, and has already been downloaded as far away as Australia, Canada and the USA.

Physical copies of the CD can be purchased locally at Netherthird Community Centre – the home of EPIC and Kilmarnock Pipe Band.

The album features old favourites such as Flower of Scotland and Scotland the Brave, as well as a host of modern compositions including Ed Sheeran's Perfect, a Queen medley and Leonard Cohen's beautiful Hallelujah.