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Press Releases
Launch of Radio Scotland's SoundTown project at Baldragon Academy
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Baldragon Academy in Dundee is excited to be hosting this year's ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland SoundTown project to be launched today (Wednesday 26 September 2007) with pupils and celebrity guests taking part in five ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes.
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The SoundTown project, created by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland, aims to open up the exciting world of broadcasting to the teachers, pupils and parents of Baldragon Academy through an operational radio studio situated at the school for a year.
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The studio will be led by the wishes and interests of the school pupils and staff and will utilise all the various ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland departments including news, drama, sport and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scottish Symphony Orchestra to support curriculum development and community projects.
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Head of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland, Jeff Zycinski, said: "I have no doubt that we're going to have an exciting year at Baldragon Academy. The staff and pupils at the school have impressed us with their energy and enthusiasm for the project and we will now sit down and work out the calendar of events and experiences.
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"This will be our first time in Dundee and I'm sure ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland listeners will enjoy getting to know the voices from the school and the surrounding community and hearing about the wide ranges of stories and issues from such a vibrant part of Scotland."
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On the launch day today, pupils will take part in five ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes kicking off with MacAulay And Co with Jeff Zycinski and George Laidlaw, Head Teacher, who will cut the ribbon and talk about the school.
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Two lucky pupils will get the chance to interview a surprise celebrity guest, and a further two pupils will be guests on Scotland Live, talking about how SoundTown will encourage them to be more interested in politics.
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Last year's SoundTown pupils from Kelso will interview Baldragon pupils for Newsdrive.
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And local band the Duke Of Portland and Sheena Wellington – the creative director of the traditional music festival in Dundee – will be at the school studio to perform and talk about the festival in the Radio Café.
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Finally, two music-mad pupils from the school will be on-air just after 3pm on the Tom Morton Show to talk about the music scene in the new SoundTown school and in Dundee.
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Teacher Andrew McArtney, who is coordinating the project for Baldragon Academy, said: "The pupils and teachers of the school have been so excited since we broke the news and there's a definite feel-good factor around the building.
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"We are all keen to give as much as we can towards the project and to get a lot out of it in return. I personally can't wait to get started!"
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Now in its fifth year, the aim of the project is to build partnerships with other agencies (including local clubs, businesses, health services) and enable children to meet some of their heroes, including actors and musicians.
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Previous SoundTown areas have been Kelso High School in the Borders, Dalmellington, Grangemouth and Elgin.
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Over the past five years the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has broadcasted numerous live programmes, right from the very heart of each school including: MacAulay And Co, Radio Café, Off The Ball, Vic Galloway, Take The Floor, Sportsweekly ... the list goes on!
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Many celebrities have visited the schools to teach pupils how to act, present a programme and write a script. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has also run workshops on costume design, commentating and cooking.
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Dundee City Council education convener Councillor Laurie Bidwell said: "This is a huge achievement for the school and everyone involved in this deserves congratulations.
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"´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland has obviously been impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of pupils and staff to the SoundTown project and I am sure this will have great benefits for everyone involved.
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"Baldragon Academy will become recognised throughout the country because of its involvement in this project. Everyone at the school is very excited about taking part and broadcasting to the nation.
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"There will be some very important lessons to learn for everyone and Baldragon Academy's involvement will have a positive impact for years to come."
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