Young Moray musicians form online bands for Wake Up Scotland competition
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YOUNG musicians from three Moray schools have formed online bands to vie for the chance this weekend to play with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Pipers and drummers have teamed up with other instrumentalists in a bid to win £1,000 and the chance to play with the world-famous band in a competition called Wake Up Scotland.
Thirteen pupils, from Elgin High School, Elgin Academy and Lossiemouth High School, are among the entrants.
The event is being staged by the Chillis and a schools piping charity as a way to keep youngsters focused on their music while schools are out.
Some 17 bands have got together to make socially distant music. Their efforts will be broadcast over the weekend on Facebook with a final on Sunday night.
Among the bands are EHS Freestyle playing a composition called "Sweet Child O' Mamma Mia!" by pupils from Elgin High School and Elgin Academy; and Lossie High School Pipers playing "As We Go Now" by pupils from Lossiemouth High School.
Head of the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust, Alexandra Duncan, said she had been knocked out by the standard of entries.
She said: "We had no idea what to expect and have been amazed at the talent on show in these entries. It’s hard enough performing as a band – but the kids have had to overcome huge technical challenges to get their efforts sounding so good."
Craig Munro, from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, said his band was looking forward to playing a gig with the winners.
He said: "We have been off the road for weeks now and are desperate to get back performing. To have one of our first shows playing alongside the winning band will be something to look forward to."
The final films will be played live on the Chilli’s Facebook page tonight and tomorrow, June 26 and 27, at 7.30pm, with a grand final on Sunday, June 28, on the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust’s Facebook site.
Judges include some of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the director of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Finlay MacDonald. An online people’s vote will decide who gets an additional £500 prize.
Ms Duncan added: "One of our key aims is to show the world how well pipes and drums can sound played alongside other instruments and have schools music departments recognise the contribution our national instruments can make."
The Moray entrants are: "Sweet Child O' Mamma Mia!" by EHS Freestyle, features Katie Lawrence – bagpipes, Elgin High School; Jack Johnston – bagpipes, EHS; Kenzie Stephen – bagpipes, EHS; Alfie McLeod – drums, EHS; Owen Lilley – lead guitar, EHS; Lucy Paul – rhythm/lead guitar, EHS; Lucy Forsyth – rhythm guitar, EHS; Leah Topp – bass guitar, EHS; Leon Miller – bagpipes, Elgin Academy.
"As We Go Now" by Lossie High School Pipers, features, from Lossiemouth High School: Lauren Caldwell – bagpipes and degerpipes; Alexander Logan – bagpipes and fiddle; Roman Ruck – bagpipes; Kamryn Norrie – bagpipes.
