Scottish Catholic Observer

Pupils from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, East Kilbride, have taken their musical talents to a whole new level with the launch of their first CD.

The school’s traditional Celtic music group has been a key part of life at the East Kilbride school for a number of years and has performed at many events, including the Celtic Connections festival, and at various concerts across Europe.

Earlier this year, they decided to use their talents to help raise money for charity. On Friday June 3, the pupils invited representatives of South Lanarkshire Council, local priests, friends and family to a small concert to launch their first CD.

The group, led by music teachers Claire O’Neill and Pauline Friel, were keen to share their love of a selection of their favourite songs, which have now been recorded on the 11-track CD.

Praise for performers

Douglas Cosgrove, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s headteacher, praised the commitment shown by the pupils and the tremendous achievement of producing their first CD.

“We are delighted to have the traditional music group at the school,” Mr Cosgrove said. “For the group to have produced a CD of this quality is beyond my comprehension and it has been a fabulous opportunity for the pupils and the whole school.”

In addition to hearing the band perform live, the invited guests were treated to an entertaining video diary charting the journey of the CD’s production, which featured behind-the-scenes footage of the group rehearsing as well as a series of interviews, in which members of the group discussed their thoughts on living life as a musician.

Fresh from performing with the pupils, Ms O’Neill thanked all those that had helped in the CD’s production—in particular Ryan Curry, sound engineer, and Francis O’Dowd, artwork producer—and said that the pupils had learnt many valuable lessons about the hard work involved in producing their own record.

“It has been an incredible journey over the months,” Ms O’Neill said. “The pupils have been so committed and now have a CD to be very proud of.”

Memorable experience

A selection of pupils from the group shared their thoughts on what the CD production meant to them.

“The whole experience was a memorable one,” Sarah Louise Motion said. “Without being in the traditional group, I wouldn’t have had the chance to do this.”

Melissa Moir added: “Being in the traditional group is a fun way to connect with the songs and tunes of our heritage and to enjoy making music with each other.”

At the close of the launch, Anne Jackson, development officer at South Lanarkshire Council, who provided funding to help with the CD’s production, handed out certificates to the pupils involved and congratulated them on their fantastic achievement.

The St Andrew’s and St Bride’s music group will contribute the proceeds from sales of their CD to SCIAF to help those affected by last year’s earthquake in Haiti.

The school donated £2564 to the cause in January and would like to contribute further to the long-term development work in Haiti.