STUDENTS enrolled on the HND sound production course Forth Valley College Sound Production students have recorded the world premier of Adrift, Alight, Alive: Three Portraits of St. Blane, at Dunblane Cathedral.

Second year pupils Micha Nye, Kieran Love and Zack Dysart, both from Alloa, attended the event on Saturday, September 24, to record the piece of music which had been specially commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dunblane Cathedral Arts Guild (DCAG).

Colin McGeoch, FVC creative industries curriculum manager, said: “The students undertook a fairly sophisticated location recording of this event, and it was a great opportunity to build on skills they have acquired at college and utilise these in a real world environment. We are all very proud of their efforts on the night and I am sure they enjoyed themselves.”

The music was composed by Suzanne Parry, who is also the wife of FVC lecturer Ewan John, and featured organ, choir and the Scottish Brass quintet – an outstanding ensemble of top class players and was directed by Michael Bawtree.

Zack Dysart, 18, said: “It was my first time recording in an environment such as this and I certainly wasn't unhappy about it.

“The performers were all very talented and that always makes the experience much more enjoyable. All the performers treated us so kindly and it was very kind of them to invite us to eat with them.

"I am very happy with how it went; everyone was so very kind and talented, and by using pro-industry equipment we were able to capture the audio with clarity resulting in it sounding natural. I am also very thankful for Forth Valley College and Colin for inviting me along to help out.”

Ruth Bamforth, chairman of DCAG, added: “I am delighted that not only was Suzanne able to have her new work recorded, but also students at FVC were able to experience a new situation and set of problems for their understanding of live recording.

"FVC’s involvement gave an extra educational dimension to the reach of our commission, which had already encompassed primary school creative music-making and community artwork.

“I was very impressed with the students who worked with us at Saturday’s concert. They were mindful of the setting, respectful of the Cathedral and its historic fabric, helpful and responsive to the safety problems we encountered, and worked cheerfully and courteously for a very long day.

"How they managed to be so unobtrusive during the concert is a mystery – no doubt all down to meticulous planning.

"Now the link has been forged, I hope DCAG will be able to contribute further to extending the learning of students on FVC’s Sound Production course.”