A Perthshire school has had to recruit more music teachers after interest from pupils soared following a rousing performance at T in the Park.
Strathallan School’s pipe band made their debut at the festival last summer.
Sixth-form pupil Harry Richards was even given the honour of closing the show, taking to the stage after a headline set by Noel Gallagher.
Now the group of talented young musicians has been invited back to Strathallan Castle this summer.
The school’s piping instructor, Craig Muirhead, said: “I’m delighted that we have been asked to play T in the Park again in 2016.
“Performing last year was such an amazing opportunity for the pupils and one which has helped boost our pipe band numbers dramatically.”
Promoters DF Concerts will still need a fresh public entertainment licence to stage the show at Strathallan Castle in July.
Last week The Courier revealed that Perth and Kinross Council has threatened to pull the plug on future events unless organisers can make a series of improvements and prevent traffic trouble that dogged last year’s festival.
Festival boss Geoff Ellis said: “We were blown away by the talent of the Strathallan School pipe band last year, so we were more than happy to offer them a slot on this year’s T in the Park bill.
“Opening and closing the festival with pipes has become an important tradition with the festival and to be able to work with a local school to give them a chance to play for festival-goers is brilliant.”
Roddy MacLeod, director of the Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival, said: “We were thrilled to hear that Strathallan School have seen a surge in pupils looking to learn to play the pipes and drums after their performance at T in the Park.
“It shows that there is still such a passion for piping music in Scotland and that it’s still a contemporary instrument.”