THE founder of The Cumnock Tryst is full of excitement ahead of its 10th anniversary year kicking off tomorrow (October 2).

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for an extended programme of events this year to mark the special occasion.

From Wednesday to Sunday (October 6), the festival will welcome some of classical music’s finest performers to East Ayrshire, including pianist Steven Osborne, the Maxwell Quartet, the Gesualdo Six, Joshua Ellicott, and the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra.

READ MORE: Cumnock Tryst 10th anniversary exhibition now on show

Local favourites return too, and the newly formed Cumnock Tryst Ensemble will makes its debut.

The festival was founded by world-renowned Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan who grew up in Cumnock.

Event programme

Wednesday

  • Wednesday night’s opening concert is pianist Steven Osborne OBE at Trinity Church

Thursday

  • Pupils from Robert Burns Academy are the stars of the show on Thursday afternoon in Music of Land Reclamation at Barony Campus
  • On Thursday evening at Trinity Church, sweet-toned British tenor Joshua Ellicott makes his Cumnock Tryst debut singing Bach, Schubert, Schumann and Benjamin Britten at Trinity Church
  • Thursday finishes on an upbeat note, with guitarist, flautist and singer Seán Gray performing in the Festival Club in Dumfries Arms Hotel

Friday

  • On Friday morning, young pupils from Hillside School reach new creative heights in The Unbroken Thread at Barony Campus
  • The Cumnock Hour will take place on Friday at Dumfries Arms Hotel
  • Maxwell quartet will perform at Cumnock Old Church on Friday
  • And the much admired Scottish composer, pianist and songwriter, Euan Stevenson with his trio closes the evening in the Festival Club at the Dumfries House Hotel

Saturday

  • CAMPS Showcase will perform at the Boswell Centre in Auchinleck on Saturday at 11am
  • Tommy Smith Youth Jaz Orchestra will put on a show at the Dumfries Arms Hotel at 3pm
  • The main event of the The Cumnock Tryst 10th birthday gala concert will be on at the Barony Campus from 7.30pm
  • Ayrshire fiddler Alastair Savage and Friends bring the best of Scotland’s music to Cumnock’s doorstep on Saturday night at the Festival Club at the Dumfries Arms Hotel

Sunday

  • Festival service from 11.15am at Mauchline Parish Church
  • The Cumnock Tryst Ensemble launch at 2pm and 4pm at Dumfries House
  • Gueseldo Six Queen of Hearts from 7.30pm at St John's Church

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

Speaking about this year's events, James MacMillan said: “It has been a delight and joy not just to bring a flowering of musical riches to my hometown but to work closely (and with determination) with so many people in the community. With them we are bringing our musical dreams to fruition.

"As always, it’s a huge pleasure to welcome performers of the highest calibre to East Ayrshire, and I’m particularly thrilled that the newly formed Cumnock Tryst Ensemble will make its debut this year.

"Scotland has, over the years, produced some excellent chamber groups and it is with immense pride and excitement that I have been able to bring about the creation of a brand new one.

"So, this 10th year is a moment of celebration for The Cumnock Tryst but it is also a moment of reflection too, when we take stock and look excitedly into the future – and to the next 10 years."