Pupils had eye on chart success
A group of talented pupils from West Lothian took on the likes of Slade and Taylor Swift when they released their very own Christmas single.
Students from Broxburn Academy, St Kentigerns Academy and Inveralmond Community High School are part of a Scottish youth music organisation that recorded a song with the ambition of winning the prized number one spot in last year’s coveted Christmas charts.
The Youth Radio Network has worked with 20 young people from across Scotland to perform and record the new single - ‘The Man in the Red Velvet Suit’.
And among the artists taking part is Murrin McDonnell (13) from Uphall, who attends Broxburn Academy. Murrin played the electric Ukulele and sang on the track alongside her band 34 Strings which also features Tyler Borthwick (13), from Whitburn, Leo McCarron from Kirkliston and Kirstie Gibson (15) from Bathgate.
They have only been together for a short while and have already played a few gigs locally.
Tyler played guitar and sang on the single. Kirstie played the bass for the track and Leo sang.
And while the song didn’t quite make it into the Top 100, Kirstie said working on the single was great fun and she hopes people enjoy listening to it as much as they all enjoyed performing on it.
She added: “Becoming a musician has really helped my confidence and has given me a much better understanding of the people and world around me.”
Murrin said she has been singing ever since she was little.
She continued: “I started playing violin in primary four and then from there picked up piano, guitar and I started playing uke this year.
“The single means a lot to me because it’s helped me with my confidence and it’s given me the chance to meet other artists like me. Music means a lot to me and has been a big part of my life since I was little.”
Tyler added: “Coming together to create the single has been a great educational and fun experience.
“It’s been a big but exciting challenge: there have been times when I’ve wanted to give up or just quit but I knew that we had to keep going and I’m very proud of us all and the end result.
“Music means so much to me: it’s what I see myself involved in for a future career and much more.
“Since I was a young kid I’ve always dreamed of playing music and singing for a crowd, being on TV and so much more. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that I can make that dream into a reality so thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity to put me a step in the right direction.”
Bandmate Leo added: “Music has always been part of my life. It takes away my anxieties and fears, making me feel confident when I perform.
“My goals are to continue playing and performing with my friends as it is what I love to do.”
This single means a lot to me - Murrin McDonnell