Graduates at this year’s Forth Valley College Graduation ceremony will be played in by two fellow students who are members of the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band.
Megan Salmond (19) from Falkirk a second year HND Travel and Tourism student and Sophie Lunn (18) from Fallin a NC Early Education and Childcare student, will pipe and drum the graduates into Falkirk Town Hall on Tuesday October 4 and Stirling Castle on Thursday October 6, respectively as part of the College’s traditional graduation welcome.
Megan, said: “I have been playing with the bagpipes with the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band for more than five years now and have been playing the pipes since I was eight.
“We don’t really take part in many competitions, but I feel having our band at the graduation ceremonies is a really good fit. I have another year to go in my course so will not graduate till then, but I would happily play with the band on the night I graduate, so that might be quite interesting!
“I have really been enjoying my Travel and Tourism course a lot. I like the tour guiding aspects to it is that is what I want to be. In fact my dream job would be a tour guide at Stirling Castle, so it really is very special when I am playing at the graduation ceremony there.
“The lecturers are all great and the facilities are really good too. I would definitely recommend the college and the course as it prepares you for your future employment.”
Sophie, said: “I first joined Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band when I was six years old, I have left and came back a few times over the years though. I love playing for the pipe band and get along with everyone as there’s a real family feel to it. I’ve been able to play all over Scotland and even played abroad with the pipe band.
“I really enjoy drumming, it’s something I can go to and focus on no matter what’s happening in life. I have also played at three or four of the graduation…every year since 2017 in fact. Playing at this year’s graduation will be exciting as I get to see what it’s like before I attend my own graduation next year. The band are always really supportive of anything that I do or achieve, so there is possibility that I may wear my pipe band outfit to my own graduation!
“In my NC Early Education and Childcare course I love learning about how children develop and grow. It’s fascinating especially even more now since I have own little boy to watch grow and develop. I would like to eventually go into a career of helping children with additional support needs.
“The best bit about college so far is learning about things I am interested in, making new friends and I am also looking forward to starting placement in the coming months.
“Forth Valley College have great learning facilities that can help lots of people achieve their dream jobs, or at least help them on their way there, and the lecturers are always really supportive and helpful. They always try and help any way they can in anything to do with your college experience and are always very understanding of different circumstances at home and they try and accommodate you as best they can!”
Paul Cunningham, Curriculum Manager in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries, said: “I am delighted to see that Megan is not only thriving in her studies in Travel and Tourism, but also applying such dedication and commitment to her piping. I look forward to hearing her play at our Graduation Ceremonies in October.”
Jeanette McCulloch, Operations Manager in the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities, said: “I am delighted and very much looking forward to seeing and hearing Sophie participating in the graduation ceremonies with the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band. Sophie has progressed her interest in a career in Early Learning and Childcare from participation in our school/college programmes to studying full-time, and I am sure she will utilise her passion for music within her practical placement activities to support music-making experiences for children.”
The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band are sponsored by Forth Valley College and are always looking for new recruits. If you would like to find out more visit https://www.alloabowmarpipeband.com/ or https://en-gb.facebook.com/alloabowmar/
