Rachel Walker, Colmcille Legacy Award

Rachel Walker, Colmcille Legacy Award, Lochaber

CHARTS supported Rachel to create a new song and music video Beannachd (Cantus Benedictus) in celebrating the life and work of Colmcille. Rachel approached the legacy of Colmcille with a contemporary take on St Columba and his links with Scotland and created a “modern blessing relevant for today’s changing world”. Rachel received support from CHARTS as part of a commission bid which she was successful in securing, this commission helped to support the local Gaelic scene in Argyll.  

Music is an important cultural asset significant to Argyll’s Gaelic Culture, CHARTS support allowed Rachel the opportunity to write new music during the Covid-19 lockdowns and pandemic when most opportunities in the music industry were no longer possible. 

The commission allowed Rachel to work on a new song and granted her time to research, build networks and collaborate with fellow lyricists and musicians. These opportunities were important in helping to bring a digital project to life. CHARTS also showcased Rachels's new music Beannachd (Cantus Benedictus) to local and international audiences by supporting her at TIDES Music Festival (2022). 

‘I am grateful to CHARTS for creating the opportunity for a musician like myself to write and record brand new music.  The creation of new Gaelic songs is such an important part of keeping the language living and breathing, and having the financial support to do so was hugely beneficial to me as an individual and the tradition as a whole.’ Rachel Walker