Cumnock Tryst: Baird Institute 10th anniversary exhibition

Created in 2014 by Sir James MacMillan, the annual event draws in music enthusiasts from all over Ayrshire and beyond.

This year marks the special occasion for the Tryst, with an extended programme of events scheduled for next month.

READ MORE: The Cumnock Tryst take home top gong at Sky Arts Awards

As part of The Cumnock Tryst’s 10th birthday festival, a new exhibition has been launched, celebrating the festival’s community engagement programme by looking back at some of its most exciting and innovative creative projects over the past decade. 

The exhibition in the Barony Gallery at The Baird Institute explores some of the wonderful collaborations the festival has developed to bring about opportunities for people to experience the joy of creating music in many different ways. 

Projects showcased in this exhibition include Sonic Creations, a visual and performing arts celebration of sound, sculpture and light.

A variety of short films are featuring in the exhibition, including a looking at the Tryst's relationship with the community and an exploration of East Ayrshire.

Performers play to huge audiences every year. (Image: Stuart Armitt) The anniversary exhibition is open now until January 11, 2025.

Alongside these centre pieces visitors can see pages from the original handwritten score of Sir James MacMillan’s 'All the Hills and Vales Along', enjoy a huge range of photos from the last 10 years, browse over the posters and brochures and see up close some of the awards given to the Tryst to date.

Speaking about the exhibition, James MacMillan said: “I hope many of you will come to this special exhibition to mark and celebrate the first ten years of The Cumnock Tryst.

"I grew up in Cumnock and went to three of its schools and became a musician here before embarking on a happy and fulfilling life in music.

"I’ve always wanted to make Cumnock a special place for music as I was inspired by family, teachers and friends to pursue a musical dream. It has been a huge delight for me to build the activities of The Tryst over this last decade."

Sir James MacMillan picking up an award recently. (Image: Submitted) The festival creator added: "We have brought some of the world’s greatest musicians to East Ayrshire during this time and built up strong relationships with the local schools, churches, choirs and community groups. We have exciting aspirations for the future.

“This exhibition gives a glimpse of what has been achieved so far and is packed with lovely musical memories of ten exhilarating years. I now look forward to our second decade, beginning now.”