The University of Abertay’s School of Computing and Creative Technologies is no stranger to the spotlight. Its computer games courses are world renowned while the Ethical Hacking courses are a media favourite; however one lecturer is attracting attention for something quite different…
Mary-Ann MacKinnon, a lecturer in Software Applications, is the first staff member to publish a book of pipe music.
Mary-Ann, who is Pipe Major of the Abertay University Pipe Band, said: “Although writing and playing pipe music is pretty different to lecturing in software applications, there are some important similarities. In both roles I get to help others to learn new skills, watch them develop and really enjoy it.
“Staff and students play alongside each other in the Pipe Band and I would say that’s a good reflection of the atmosphere we encourage at Abertay. We’re a small University and both staff and students benefit from the friendly environment.”
To coincide with the book launch, the university’s Piping & Traditional Music Club are hosting an informal recital evening at the University’s Bell Street campus on Wednesday (29th October) at 6pm, where members of the University Pipe Band will be entertaining, including Mary-Ann who will perform a selection of tunes from her new book.
Several of Mary-Ann’s tunes have already been recorded by leading pipe bands including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the Black Watch, Western Australia Police Pipe Band and Field Marshal Montgomery in Northern Ireland but printed versions of the music have not been generally available until now.
The book title, ‘Still Steamin', relates to a popular concert piece Mary-Ann penned called ‘The steam train to Mallaig’. Mary-Ann joked: “The tune was written in 1989, but has proved so popular that it has 'steamed' it’s way around the world!”
The collection includes ‘The Abertay Boat Song’ which was written especially for the pipers beginners class at the University. Each tune is accompanied by photographs and a story of how the tune came about.
The recital begins at 6pm in room 3004 at the University’s Bell Street campus. Everyone is welcome and admission is free for club members and just £1 for non members.
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For more information please contact Vicki White on 01382 308935 M: 07837250284 E: v.white@abertay.ac.uk