The specially created piece of music which will be played during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games medal ceremonies will strike a chord with spectators and athletes alike. The rousing anthem was unveiled for the first time today, Sunday 29 June, with less than 25 days to go to the Games.
Composed by Greg Bowman of Great Big Events, the tune is performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and piper Major Steven Small, under the baton of Scottish conductor Garry Walker.
For Major Small it is the second time he has been involved with Commonwealth Games in Scotland having previously played at the Opening Ceremony in Edinburgh in 1986.
The ceremony theme is called “Gaisgeachd” which is Gaelic for courage, championship or heroism.
Almost a year in the making, this unique new composition is for use at Glasgow 2014 only, making this a one-off for the Games.
The version of Glasgow’s Ceremonies Music which will be used at all 261 medal ceremonies was recorded at Edinburgh’s world famous Usher Hall.
You can hear a sneak preview of the music and see behind the scenes on the day it was recorded by going to http://glasgow2014.com/video/official-glasgow-2014-medal-ceremonies-theme-revealed
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:
“Winning a medal at a global sporting event is one of the proudest moments in any athlete’s career. This specially-composed piece, which will be played at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games medal ceremonies, will make the presentations all the more special and memorable. Great Big Events, Major Small and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra have created something extraordinary and immediately identifiable as Scottish, which will help create a very special atmosphere as we honour all of our Commonwealth Games medal winners.”
Greg Bowman, Executive Producer of Sports Entertainment for Great Big Events said:
“Our aim was to create a simple but distinctive piece of music to give athletes a unique memory of receiving their medals. The result is very Scottish and presents a flavour of the culture, the Games and the moment itself. The musicians who came together for the recording are of the highest quality which has helped create a piece of music which will resonate with athletes, the crowds in the venues and television audiences worldwide.”
Major Steven Small, Director of Army Bagpipe Music said:
“It’s very exciting to be part of another Commonwealth Games particularly as bagpipes are at the heart of this piece of music. My regiment, The Black Watch, was in Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Games in 1986 and I was selected to play at the Opening Ceremony so it is great to be involved again in a piece of music which will be played more than 200 times and heard by hundreds of millions of people around the world.”
Roy McEwan, SCO Chief Executive, said:
“It was a great honour for the SCO to be invited to record this specially-composed music for the medal ceremonies at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The ceremonies are the pinnacle of achievement for the athletes and a wonderful spectacle for both audiences inside the venues and for the people watching at home, and we are proud to provide the music to accompany these very special moments.”
Great Big Events has provided music for the last four Commonwealth Games and the last four Olympics.