A COMPETITION to find Scotland’s next superstar young composer and an iconic new tune for our national instrument has launched this week: Piping Hit 2018. Youngsters across Scotland are being asked whether they think they have the X factor and to compose a hit tune suitable for the Great Highland Bagpipe.
The competition is open to every school pupil in Scotland. Music charity organisers, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), want to showcase some of Scotland’s young musical talent while also helping to create some great new Scottish tunes. Entrants must make a recording of the tune played on the pipes, but composers don’t have to be able to play the pipes themselves. The tune must be an original piece of work and can be as traditional as Scotland the Brave or more contemporary.
Kenny Forsyth, chairman of the judging panel and SSPDT trustee, said: ‘We have some fantastic young musical talent and we are looking forward to hearing what they compose. The pipes are used in so many different types of music now and we want to encourage all pupils to get involved, whether they play the pipes or not. The tune doesn’t have to be what is considered a typical traditional Scottish melody, it could be as modern as Ed Sheeran or Katy Perry – it’s up to the composer. The judges will be looking out for tunes that have the power to connect with an audience.