Students' perfect anniversary gift

Students and staff at the college involved in the 10th anniversary celebrations.

STUDENTS celebrating a decade of music courses at North Highland College have released a charity single – and plan to go live at a gig next Friday.

So What If It’s Not Perfect? is the title of the pop-rock single created by students of the college past and present and set to raise funds for Drake Music Scotland which helps disabled people learn to play music.

The HNC (higher national certificate) music performance and sound production students at North Highland College UHI, part of the new University of the Highlands and Islands, wrote, performed and produced the song themselves.

So What If It’s Not Perfect? features Kirsty Stewart, Fifi Greasley and Keilan Ross on main vocals, with Jamie Reid, Rory Macgregor and Bobby Morrison playing guitar. James Urquhart played bass with Tom Fullerton on drums.

The song – about making music and not giving up – was the winner after voters were asked on the music department’s Facebook site to choose from five songs.

And now it is going to be available to download from February 27 from digital distribution site www.emubands.com

So What If It’s Not Perfect? is likely to be one of the highlights of the college’s 10th anniversary gig at Mad Hatters in Inverness next Friday.

Course leader Peter Noble said planning for the single began when the students started their course in September.

“With the music industry changing so quickly, it is now possible to release material fairly easily to the world. “Being part of this process will encourage and inspire students to be independently creative and entrepreneurial for themselves. The creators of the single have done a great job and we are very proud of them.”

Student Natalie Craib from Inverness, who co-ordinated the project, said: “This has been a great and fun practical exercise which has given us a real taste of what is involved in all stages of a self-release single.

"We hope people will like it and help us to raise as much money as possible for Drake Music Scotland. And we’re looking forward to performing it at the 10th anniversary gig.”

The celebration gig being held in Mad Hatters in Inverness, will also include performances by past and present bands associated with the college.

Keilan Ross from Balintore, studying HNC music performance, added: “Releasing the single has shown me what is involved, and it is a great way to raise money for a good cause.”

Vicki Anderson from Dornoch, studying HNC music performance, commented: “The experience has shown us how much time and work is required to write, record and finish off a song, and we’ve all had the chance to show off our musical talent.”

Derek Mair from Invergordon, studying HNC sound production, said: “I have been humbled by the talent of the people sharing this experience and have found the tutors to be exceptional people. I would recommend these courses to anyone wishing to make a career in the music industry.”