Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Bonnie bonnie brilliance of college’s music videos
A tartan triumph of a musical performance brought New College Lanarkshire’s virtual awards ceremony to a goosebump-inducing climax.
A video showcasing students and staff combining their talents on a version of Loch Lomond has already been viewed more than 16,000 times.
Four HND music students, together with lecturer Stuart Coleman on pipes, performed the moving end to this year’s online graduation ceremony.
The HND music band featured Alexandra Romeo Imade on vocals, Steven Mclaren on guitar, Lauren Kelly on vocals and Jay Dalton on bass.
The music video was filmed, edited and produced by Darren Watts of Glasgow-based Block4films, who has previously worked with the college on filming for its music courses and the annual Question Session industry event.
The song was recorded at the Foundry Music Lab in Motherwell by sound engineer and producer Sandy Jones and filmed with drone shots by Darren Watts.
Music lecturer Scott Cowie, who directed the video, said: “Usually the ceremony is held at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and our music students open and close the show, so we had to look at things from an opportunistic standpoint and think of something really big that would match the live performances in the concert hall and be just as, if not more, memorable.
“Judging by the feedback I think we achieved this.”
Alexandra Romeo Imade, who sang vocals and featured in the video, added: “It was such a great experience being part of a music video of this magnitude.
“Being a Spanish student studying full-time in Scotland, I am still taken aback by the level of patriotism over the last couple of weeks in the country and how much everyone is working together and supporting each other in this time. I think our course is a good representation of that.”
HND music students also opened the ceremony with a lockdown-style cover of The Ronettes’ track Be My Baby which also featured Catriona Johnston on vocals, David Russell on drums, Adam Isaac on bass and Jack Gault-secmezsoy on keyboard.
Each student recorded their parts from home for the video, which was edited and produced by drummer David Russell.
David said: “Obviously this is a difficult time for everyone, but all of the music lecturers have been very innovative with their approach to teaching this year and it’s forced us all to create music differently.
“I am so glad we are still able to make things work and even though we are already in December, a lot of great opportunities have already come to fruition through everyone’s hard work.”
Guitarist Steven Mclaren, who like Alexandra featured in both music videos, stated: “Despite being in lockdown, the level of opportunities that come your way as a music student of New College Lanarkshire is breathtaking.
“Since lockdown we have had online guest lectures from everyone from Tommy Emmanuel to Orianthi and before I knew it I was on top of the building being part of a music video that’s now gone viral!”
New College Lanarkshire’s courses in music have produced talent such as Yungblud’s Adam Warrington, Paige Turley, The Vegan Leather and Lewis Capaldi.
The videos of Loch Lomond and Be My Baby are now available to view on the college’s Youtube channel.
To find out more about music courses starting in February, visit https://www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk/courses/music-and-music-business