SAPE performs a series of concerts each year in different venues in South Ayrshire. The group plays a variety of musical syles using a combination of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments.
Material ranges from classic hits such as Boogie Wonderland, I Feel Good and Here Comes the Sun to popular musical songs from Mary Poppins, Rent and Jersey Boys. All the music performed by the group has been specially arranged by the Musical Director to showcase the diversity of talent within the ensemble.
This video shows a typical SAPE performance in a church in Ayr. If you are interested in the group visiting your venue and performing, please contact us using the details at the bottom of the page.
London Trip 2009
Some of SAPE's young musicians had the experience of a lifetime recently, enjoying a master class in percussion in London taught by successful session musicians. Members of the group heard all about rock, pop and jazz for drum kit and percussion as well as what it's really like working as a professional drummer or percussionist in the UK capital from three of the country's top session musicians. The masterclass tutors included two Ayrshire lads - Alan Dale and John Blease - making it all the more special for the young people, as well as Jezz Wyles.
Alan Dale, originally from Kilmarnock, is now a successful theatre and session drummer while John Blease, originally from Prestwick, is now a successful recording artist and session drummer. Together they gave the young musicians a real insight into what it takes for someone from a small town in Ayrshire to become successful in the London music industry. The group also attended two of London's biggest shows - Stomp and Wicked - and got a chance to see how things are done on the west end stage. Two of the young musicians also got a chance to see one of their tutors at work on a show as well as meet some of the cast.
Xavier Aubad from Colmonell shadowed Alan Dale while he played the evening show of the hit musical Grease while Marco Sisi from Girvan got backstage access to the show and even met some of the cast. "This is what I want to do now", said Xavier. "This trip has totally inspired me and given me great memories - I have sat in on a west end show - who can say that?!"
"It was an amazing trip for everyone and we were all just blown away by how successful it was. The kids couldn't get enough of John, Alan and Jezz - they were begging for more - and then to see two fantastic west end shows was just the icing on the cake. They all absolutely loved it and learned even more about music and that was what it was all about. London was our first trip away and after the huge amount of encouragement we have had and the feedback from the kids, it certainly won't be our last." Gavin Welsh
Alan Dale, originally from Kilmarnock, is now a successful theatre and session drummer while John Blease, originally from Prestwick, is now a successful recording artist and session drummer. Together they gave the young musicians a real insight into what it takes for someone from a small town in Ayrshire to become successful in the London music industry. The group also attended two of London's biggest shows - Stomp and Wicked - and got a chance to see how things are done on the west end stage. Two of the young musicians also got a chance to see one of their tutors at work on a show as well as meet some of the cast.
