Prize winning Methil and District Pipe Band is celebrating its 25th anniversary in great musical style despite lockdown. To mark the special occasion, they are releasing their version of the hit song from the 2017 film The Greatest Showman, From Now On. During lockdown, the band made the recording with an accompanying video that features band members along with some of the local community.
Released now, the single is on Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer with all profits going to the band to help young people in the district continue to have the opportunity to get involved with music from an early age.
US actor Kathryn Meisle, who played Mrs Hallett in the original film, has recorded a video in praise of the band’s version and the young people of the band have set up their own twitter account @methilpipeband in order to attract the attention of the film’s star, Hugh Jackman.
Singer/songwriter Cameron Barnes of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, who set out on his musical career with the Fife pipe band, and recently had a UK iTunes hit song with actor Blythe Duff with their version of Fairytale of New York,also features on the track.
Barnes said, “Without the band I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today. Bagpipes have let me see the world! It’s an amazing confidence booster that encourages kids to learn and be part of the incredible global pipe community and that is my goal for doing this project”
The pipe band, that has a strong link with the organisers of the Bretonese L’orient Interceltic Festival where they have often played, promotes the importance of learning the bagpipes to young people and is committed to keeping the important Scottish tradition alive.
The investment in youth continues as is testified by young piper Kai Hay who said “I love the pipes and being in the band. Playing pipes has helped me through lockdown and I’ve made lots of new friends. This has been my music project for home schooling because of lockdown.”
Past young band members, such as Cameron Barnes, Steven Stark, Craig McNicol and Campbell Stewart have earned places at prestigious music schools and attended the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, while Chris Dorman went on to be a pipe major and lone piper in the British army. Head of entertainment at BT Murrayfield Julie Mills will have the song played in advance of three of the Scotland rugby games this coming season.
The single is released Friday 29th January on Threads website and the accompanying video is available on YouTube
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 