A SCOTS trad-fusion band have released a new music video and special edition songs to celebrate Burns Night and raise money for a high school band.
International stars Skerryvore were inspired to create the project following an on-stage collaboration with the Oban High School Pipe Band (OHSPB) at a music festival in June 2018.
Their performance together at Oban Live was seen by thousands in the crowd and was widely shared online, with the 25 strong OHSPB joining headliners Skerryvore on stage for a haunting rendition of Soraidh Slàn.
The atmosphere was soon switched up to full barnstorming speed when 15 drummers from the school band joined the pipers and all eight Skerryvore musicians for an extraordinary performance of The Rise, including a spectacular drum solo accessorised by LED drumsticks and stage-lighting production.
The two songs have now been adapted and recorded and a new music video put together to celebrate the collaboration.
The six-minute music video was directed and filmed by multi-talented TV actor and film-maker Dòmhnall Eòghainn MacKinnon and stars Skerryvore and members of OHSPB.
In the video’s atmospheric opening, Soraidh Slàn plays as viewers hear spoken words from William Blake’s Introduction to the Songs of Innocence “Piping down the valleys wild” while watching stunning drone footage of the Isle of Tiree and Oban.
It then leads into the exciting fast paced track The Rise with footage of OHSPB at Oban’s iconic McCaig’s Tower and that very moment that inspired the project, on stage with Skerryvore at Oban Live 2018.
Since it was founded in 2005, Oban High School Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Angus MacColl, has had unprecedented success claiming the titles of Scottish, European and even World Champions in Novice Juvenile, being crowned Champions of Champions in 2010.
OHSPB Pipe Major Angus MacColl said: “We are really grateful to Skerryvore to have this track and video released with proceeds going to OHSPB.
“Joining them on stage for such an exciting spectacle at last year’s Oban Live, as well as featuring in this stunning music video, has been a real highlight for OHSPB.
“Working with Skerryvore on this project has brought fantastic and well deserved opportunities for the young people to showcase their hard-earned talents to thousands of people and provided them with an experience that they will never forget.”
Martin Gillespie, Skerryvore co-founder, said: “Huge credit and thanks goes to Angus and all the young people in OHSPB. Their professionalism, talent and enthusiasm is very impressive and inspirational.
“They are a joy to work with. We were delighted to collaborate at Oban Live and give them such a valuable opportunity and experience which was equally memorable for us in the band too.
“We are delighted to donate the proceeds of this release to OHSPB, a great cause that provides many opportunities for young people in traditional music.”
Visit smarturl.it/SoraidhSlanTheRise for more
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