YOUNG people at Alva Academy are looking to bring smiles this Christmas, utilising the power of music.

The academy has last week launched a virtual concert in the form of a series of videos with their original festive recordings.

Pupils, with the help of staff, are sharing their talent across the Clacks community, sending them out to be shown at care homes, hospitals and even further afield.

They will also perform live outside Menstrie House tomorrow, Thursday December 17, while adhering to all the current guidelines.

Music teacher David Clifford, who is co-ordinating the effort and is putting the recordings together, told the Advertiser: “I couldn't be prouder of our amazing musicians.

“Even thought it hasn't been the same, sharing the talent of over 250 pupils with parents and friends at a live concert, it has been lovely to see and feel a buzz across the school again.

“To be able to share over 25 performances with so many care homes across Scotland and to have such phenomenal feedback is both humbling and fantastic.”

Indeed, Alva Academy has kept music going over 2020, despite coronavirus restrictions, with pupils often recording their pieces remotely before the songs were mixed together.

It is understood their various videos have been viewed more than 50,000 times, proving the power of music when it comes to bringing hope.

The series of online videos, being spread out across 12 days with two appearing as one upload each day, will culminate in the release of the academy's song Sending You a Smile This Christmas.

All the pieces are looking to raise people's spirits following what has been a difficult 2020 for many.

Opening the series of videos was pupil Katie Law, who said: “Over the next 12 days you will be treated to a series of videos, featuring some of our work that our talented music pupils have been working on this term.”

It is understood it is not just care homes across the Wee County which will screen the performances.

One company is to send the videos to other homes in England and abroad, to the amazement of both staff and pupils.

Mr Clifford added: “The power of music is making people smile as well as the children.”

To see the videos, people can visit tinyurl.com/yyge46b4 for Mr Clifford's YouTube channel or follow the academy on Twitter @AlvaAcademy.