Ayr's MSP has said a 90th birthday concert for a former music teacher from Prestwick hits the right note.

The musical tribute to Raymond Bramwell, called Retrospective, will feature songs from Handel, Mozart, and Sir James MacMillan.

The Ayrshire conductor, who started his first choir at the age of 15, is also one of the founders of Ayr Arts Guild, the Arran Choir, Ayr Intimate Opera, Opera West, Ayrshire Youth Opera – as well as Ayrshire Voices who are staging the concert.

Commenting SNP MSP for Ayr, Siobhian Brown, said: “It’s hard to believe Raymond is turning 90 - he certainly is a celebrity right across Ayrshire and many remember him fondly from school and private music lessons - including Jackie who works in my office. She was taught by him at Irvine Royal Academy.

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“I first met Raymond back in 2017 when I was elected as Ayr West Councillor, and he was a community councillor for the Alloway and Doonfoot area.

"He is a lovely, kind gentleman and deserves this special celebration.

“Plans are well underway for a musical celebration to commemorate this ‘nonagenarian’ and I look forward to going to the event and enjoying an evening of entertainment in Raymond’s name.”

The Ayrshire Voices choir will undertake a musical tribute on September 3 at Castlehill Church in Ayr from 7pm.

Email the secretary Gerry Cassidy for more information: gercasty.mac@mac.com

Raymond turns 90 on August 25, 2023.