There is great excitement among senior music students in Ullapool High School as they work to put the final touches to their self-penned songs in preparation for their showcase concert A Song for the Future on Tuesday June 19th in the Macphail Theatre. “The opportunity to sing my own songs with a professional band is fantastic” said Lorraine Kelly, S5, Lochinver. “I worked with our Musical Director Brian McAlpine last year when he helped me make a studio recording of one of my songs, but this is the first live performance and I can’t wait! Several of my friends will be backing singers in my songs, and I’ll be accompanying them on their songs too.”

UHS Music Teacher Valerie Bryan explains: “Over the last few years we have had two big composition projects in the school, both of which had major funding from the Performing Rights Society Foundation. We always hoped that the effects of these projects, Suilven Spring and A Sense of Place, would be lasting – but I have still been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the songwriting from our current students. Although they have had no direct input from professional musicians in the creation of their compositions I think they have drawn inspiration from the work produced in the school in the past few years. They have certainly come up with some fantastic work. When I heard the standard I felt that the songs deserved to be performed in public with professional accompaniment and production so I contacted Brian, who worked with us on both earlier projects, to discuss the idea. He was, as ever, supremely encouraging and enthusiastic. “It is always a great pleasure to work with Ullapool High School students” he said. “They have great musicianship and commitment and are very open to new ideas and suggestions. I think the concert will be terrific.”

The project has received some funding from Highland 2007 through the High School, and from local supermarket Somerfield – whose manager Andrew Themis is so impressed by the work taking place in Ullapool High School that he has planned a sponsored sky-dive to raise funds! However any offers of further sponsorship would still be appreciated. Please contact Ullapool High School on 01854 612078 if you can help.

And the songs themselves? What can the concert audience expect in terms of style? S5 student Rosie McGregor from Ullapool explains: “I’ve been playing the guitar and piano for a few years, and also love to listen to music by such singer/songwriters as Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. At the start of our S5 year I thought I would try writing a song, but as I hadn’t done much singing I asked Lorraine to sing the solo lines, and I joined in on the harmonies in the chorus. We worked a lot together with other friends, and before long we had several songs going. The idea for one of my first songs came from a conversation with a younger pupil who was feeling very self-conscious and inadequate. At the ripe old age of sixteen, all my group of friends felt we could identify with her feelings and reassure her that she could get through this – and my song “Smile” was born! It’s been a great year – I’ve now written several songs and feel that at last I have the confidence to be the solo singer in my own songs. We’re all very much looking forward to the concert – it will be a real privilege to sing and play along with the professionals.”

As well as hearing new songs, our audience will be treated to several original instrumental pieces, also written by senior students. One of our most prolific composers, Ullapool’s Kirsty-Anne MacFarlane, says “Unfortunately I won’t be able to play in the concert as I am off to help launch the first ever Fèis in London, along with several other participants in the Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trail! However I am honoured that some of my tunes will be performed by other students and the professional band at the concert. I’m looking forward to hearing the recording.”

A Song for the Future - the Ullapool Young Songwriters’ Concert takes place in the Macphail Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 19th. Tickets, price £5/£3 (£12 family) are available from Ullapool High School 01854 612078. We hope to see you there!