Duncanrig’s music department is a place that I can guarantee every pupil has had some experience with during their time at the school. Whether it was just up to the end of second year or all the way to advanced higher, music is a subject that runs deep into the core of our school’s identity. This impact doesn’t end with the class itself, however; for four particular pupils in fifth year, their shared love for music motivated them to start their very own band, memorably titled The Jorts. 

The band consists of Ailsa Murray on the bass, Erin Simpson on the guitar, Heather Lightbody on the drums, and Saoirse Smyth singing. They practice together at least once a week, and their ever-growing repertoire of songs consists of many hits that I’m sure you will be familiar with. Among my favourites are covers of Good Luck, Babe by Chappell Roan and Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High by Arctic Monkeys. Coming soon to feature at their next performance is another song by Arctic Monkeys from the same album, Snap Out Of It. 

The selection of songs is one of the many reasons why their performances are so electrifying. Each specific tune is chosen carefully; they are songs that the members themselves personally enjoy, and you can feel this passion for the music bleeding into the speakers, blasting out for the whole venue to appreciate. I was lucky enough to witness their first ever performance on stage together at EK Universal Connections near the town centre, and to be part of the crowd that experienced them coming together for a live audience for the first time was unforgettable. Despite their lack of experience, the performance was still undeniably breathtaking, especially if you were lucky enough to squeeze right up against the barrier as I did. I was mere inches away from the stage where the chords captured your attention and refused to let go, even after the guitars had long exited the stage.