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What makes the Suilven Spring CD special? An hour's worth of music in various styles performed by the students, with accompaniment from professional musicians John Saich, Brian McAlpine and James Mackintosh, is filled with vitality, energy, enthusiasm and musicianship of the highest quality. But the content - the music itself - was composed entirely by the students. In summer 2002 High School music teacher Valerie Bryan secured funding from the Performing Rights Society Foundation's Composers in Education scheme, and John Saich began to visit the school on a regular basis to help students develop their compositions. "If there is one thing that impressed me most about these students" said John, "it's that they all took charge of their own compositions with total confidence and commitment, and rightly so. They are simply fantastic."

The young people were encouraged to explore any style of music they chose, and to use their feelings about the landscape and about living in the area as inspiration. The result is a diversity ranging from Pamela Whalen's pop song "Wasting Time" ("It's a long drive there, feels like longer back - staring out the window, seeing the same thing every day.....") to Ruth Stockl's feelings of acceptance after the initial alientation of being a newcomer ("I lie back here in my town, the dust has settled now"). Jigs, reels, waltzes, slow airs and a cracking set of pipe tunes by Douglas Young all contributed to make an unforgettable performance. John Saich comments "The students' talent and commitment went beyond some professional productions I have been in; all I had to do in the end was enjoy it. They loved performing, the audience loved listening, and I had a ball!"

No description in words will ever do justice to this music: just buy the CD and find out for yourself! If you were lucky enough to be in the audience for Suilven Spring, this CD will serve as a happy reminder of the fantastic atmosphere of the night. And if you missed it, a feast of music is in store for you. Buy it - you won't regret it!

The Launch will be held in Ullapool High School at 7pm on Thursday December 4th. Students will welcome you and will talk informally about their involvement with the project, and light refreshments will be served. Admission is free, and all are welcome. From 8 pm we will hold a Ceilidh Dance (admission £2.50) in the school's Macphail Theatre, with music by the Suilven Spring musicians, supported by John Saich with tutors Carol-Anne Mackay, Rhona Sutherland, Claire Campbell of Feis Rois, and Valerie Bryan.

The CD is available from Ullapool High School, price £10. A book of the music composed has also been compiled and is available at £5, and videos of the Gala Performance are on sale at £8. If ordering by mail, please make cheques payable to Ullapool High School, and add £1 for postage and packing.

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