Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band called on Forth Valley College Creative Industries students to help them with a CD to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Fans are set to be blown away with the release called 'Alloa at 40', which was produced by second year HND Sound Production students recently. Students involved were Jamie Flynn (23, Stirling), Kirsty Findlay (20, Glasgow), Jack Pacitti (20, Falkirk), Angus Collins (21, Stirling) and Eamonn Kennedy (23, Tillicoultry). The group recorded the CD in the Tolbooth in Stirling and then mixed and mastered it in the studios at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus.
Artwork for the sleeve insert was also designed by HND Visual Communication student Boyd Cunningham (19, Broxburn).
There has been a strong relationship between the band - which has 47 members and 32 playing members - and Forth Valley College over many years, with the band always turning out in fine style to enhance FVC's annual graduation ceremonies. So, it was felt this year's Stirling Castle event with the band decked out in their busby hats and full Erskine tartan regalia, and the students who worked on the CD receiving their graduation scrolls, would be the ideal place to officially launch the CD.
Pipe Major Davey Russell was delighted with the 11 tune playlist on the CD and praised the students involved in the production. He said:
"It was great to work with the students, they were really professional and we are so happy with the result. We even had a design brief competition to choose who would provide the artwork for the sleeve and were very impressed with the submissions. It was hard to choose, but settled on Boyd’s design. We are very proud of our relationship with Forth Valley College and it has been enhanced even more by working together on this CD."
Dr Ken Thomson, Principal of Forth Valley College, said:
"The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band always plays a big part of our graduation ceremonies and it wouldn't be the same without them. I am so proud of them and our Creative Industries students who helped them create such a fantastic recording of their moving and inspiring tunes. It is great to see our students working on live projects such as this and doing such a professional job in the process. I know I will be listening to this at home and in the car with a great sense of pride, emotion and admiration.
“I would also like to thank the Tolbooth in Stirling who kindly let our students use their main auditorium to record the CD.”
'Alloa at 40' costs £5 and can be purchased online by visiting www.alloabowmarpipeband.co.uk. The band play next at Alloa Town Hall on November 26 and tickets are priced at £10.