Published: Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 2:21pm

University challenge for music students

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Campaign ... Local musicians are fearful over future of influential Strathclyde University course.

Local students are up in arms over potential cuts to their Strathclyde BA Applied Music course and are calling on local support to back their petition.

A 'merger process' is taking place at Strathclyde University which has highlighted proposed cuts including the music course which has angered leading lights in the field including Eddie Reader and Paolo Nutini, while local students from Largs and Fairlie also attend the popular course.

The degree - which has seen students go on to levels of national and international success - has maintained a unique and distinct place in musical education in Scotland, focussing not just on performance but practical skills, students argue. Each year we have in excess of over 400 applicants andonly around 30 places. Currently the retention rates of the course stand at almost 100%, and graduates who have gone into jobs all stand at 100%

Fairlie third year student Derek Fairlie, a member of LA Jazz, is one of the course members affected by the potential cuts.

The 20 year old said: "If you take the alumini list, the graduates from the university, it really acts as a standpoint to compare it to other courses. Loads of big name in jazz, and most of Paulo Nutini's band have been in the Strathclyde Uni course. The Scottish music scene would be greatly affected by the loss of this course.

"If course the didn't ever exist. there would be a big gap in the general music industry."

If you want to join the internet petition against the course closure, go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/savebaappliedmusic

Full story in Largs and Millport Weekly News.