Highlands and Islands music students to perform at Celtic Connections
Musicians from the University of the Highlands and Islands will be showcasing their skills at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. Staff and students from West Highland College UHI, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI and Lews Castle College UHI’s Benbecula campus will be performing in concerts and open mic nights.
Students on the university’s BA applied music degree will be taking to the stage in a performance which will highlight Scotland’s diverse heritage. Featuring a mix of traditional and new compositions, Music of the Highlands and Islands will and include Gaelic and Scots song, Highland piping and fiddling from Shetland, the West Coast and the North East. The concert takes place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall from 2pm on Saturday 31 January.
Music fans who also enjoy more informal gigs might like to head along to the Old Hairdressers on Renfield Lane where the students will be putting on open mic nights. Taking place from 8pm on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January, the performances will have an indie flavour.
Other concerts featuring university staff and students include:
- Tunebook presents Melody Lab and Emma Sweeney - 8pm on Thursday 22 January The National Piping Centre (with staff and alumni from Lews Castle College UHI’s Benbecula campus)
- Angus Nicolson Trio with Trio Konogan - 8pm on Thursday 22 January at the Royal Concert Hall (with staff from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI)
- Llan de Cubel @ 30 with Waiora - 7:30pm on Saturday 24 January at the Mitchell Library (with staff and alumni from Lews Castle College UHI’s Benbecula campus)
- The Bruce 700 and Dàimh - 7:30pm on Wednesday 28 January at the Royal Concert Hall (with staff from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI)
Jamie Macdonald (19) from Tiree, a student at Lews Castle College UHI’s Benbecula campus, will be one of the performers at the event. He explains why he’s looking forward to the experience: “I love Celtic Connections, it’s always a good festival and is a gathering of all genres. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to hear and play with some of the great musicians of the Celtic world.”
Anna-Wendy Stevenson, programme leader for the university’s BA (Hons) in applied music, explains the benefits of taking part in the festival: “I’m delighted that the university will once again be a part of Celtic Connections. The event enables our students to showcase their talents and gain valuable experience of performing at a large music festival. Students are at the heart of what we do and we want to support them to achieve as much as they can.”
To book tickets for either of the University of the Highlands and Islands concerts or find out more, visit www.celticconnections.com No tickets are required for the open mic nights.
To find out more about the university and its courses, visit www.uhi.ac.uk