Pupils from across Ayrshire worked with professional musicians during “inspiring” music sessions across last week.

The Music Service Day took place at Ayr Town Hall on October 27 for high school students and was hosted by tutors at the Benedetti Foundation.

Tutors provided sessions on string instruments such as the violin, viola, cello and double bass.

Benedetti Foundation tutor David Munn said: "It was such a joy to work with young people from Ayrshire last week.

“They were really focused, listened intently, created a real sense of community and developed so much over the course of the time we spent together.

“We watched these young musicians delving deeper into their instruments and asking such intelligent questions. The end result was excellent, and we are really proud of what they collectively achieved.”

Senior students played the jig St Paul’s Suite 1st Movement by Gustav Holst and the pavane Capriol Suite 2nd movement by Peter Warlock.

They also got the chance to explore improvisation with the foundation’s teaching ambassador Simone Seales.

On Friday October 28, primary five musicians from Garnock Valley and Kilwinning took part in residency sessions in Dalry Primary School in the morning.

In the afternoon, the primary five pupils participated in music workshops led by Lucy Drever and Calum Huggan at Kilwinning Academy.

Manager of North Ayrshire Council’s Music Service, Ronan Watson, said: “Our main aim is to inspire pupils through music and build their confidence in being creative.

“These sessions, which involved hundreds of pupils from North Ayrshire schools over the two days, certainly inspired our young people and helped deepen their love of music, thanks to the Foundation’s tutors.”

The Benedetti Foundation was created in 2019 by violinist Nicola Benedetti who was born in Irvine and raised in West Kilbride.

Last week’s music sessions were funded by Creative Scotland.