PUPILS and staff at Hermitage Academy may not have worked together in person for weeks – but they’re still doing their bit to keep spirits up during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plans are being drawn up for a virtual concert, also including video performances, to be compiled to be shared with the school and local community.

The idea was born out of an initiative at the end of April where staff and pupils from the Academy came together to take part in a nationwide performance of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ during the weekly Thursday evening 'Clap for Carers'.

The performance, on April 30, was set up by ‘We Make Music for the NHS’, which is set up by the Music Education Partnership Group for Scotland.

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The school itself has also encouraged the performers to take, and send in, video footage of themselves playing their individual parts, to make up a big group performance.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: “Mrs Mackay, depute head teacher, suggested to the music department that they might want to get pupils involved in performing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ on Thursday, April 30 at 8pm.

“She had read about an national initiative led by former Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Principal, John Wallace.

“She also had the great idea of making a video of pupil and staff performances to share with the school community. They had recordings submitted by six staff and 10 pupils.

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“It is linked to the national initiative led by John Wallace and We Make Music, who encouraged people to play live at 8pm on Thursday, April 30.

“The video group performance is a school initiative.

“They are already planning a virtual concert where pupils will submit video recordings of their performances which will be compiled and shared with the school and local community.”

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