Post by Traditional Music Forum on Mar 27, 2021 17:19:01 GMT
A weekly two minute catch-up for members from the
TMF Director's desk
These are some of the things that have caught my attention this week.
The Scottish Government's long-expected National Cultural Strategy was published this morning. It seems a while since SCaT, Friends of Wighton and the RCS hosted meetings that fed into the early consulation, but here we are at last. Good to see traditional music acknowledged as important for Scotland's profile, and Fèis Rois featuring as a case study. Key opportunities for us are proposals for a National Partnership for Culture, for a Creative Communities programme, and the aspiration to embed culture across the Government's policy programmes.
We might have a long way to go on that one. At the National Planning Framework consultation in Dumfries earlier this week I was the only representative from a cultural organisation, in among the the energy, transport, land use, forestry and community development folk. We can't shout about the importance of culture as a binding force in our society and then isolate ourselves. There are still a number of meetings planned around the country. Get along if you can! Locations and venues here.
The Scottish Awards for New Music just announced their shortlist. Good to see TMF members Drake Music Scotland, and musicians Aidan O'Rourke, Brighde Campbell, and Twelfth Day all nominated. The Awards will be held at the V and A in Dundee on April 14.
The echoes of Brexit continue to resound with the UK Government's publication of its White Paper on Immigration last week. This caused quite a flap in the music world, but here is a calming take on it all, and a very useful update on the present position.
On a related topic I attended the Scottish Government's Festivals Visa Summit on Wednesday, which is concerned more with artists coming in than going out. SG is taking a fairly pragmatic approach, lobbying the UK Government to make adjustments in its present policies, for example extending the Permitted Paid Engagement to three months. A big concern is the deterrent effect and the reputational damage that visa refusals can make to festivals and the country at large.
We're still in the EU till the end of the year, of course, and still able take advantage of Creative Europe funding streams such as Music Moves Europe and Music Education and Learning
A European initiative (French to be more precise) that is growing in popularity is Make Music Day, June 21st. Follow the link to find out how you can take part.
One of my annual pleasures is working with TMF members Transgressive North to suggest musicians for the Folk Film Gathering which complements Tradfest in Edinburgh each year. They're putting final touches to the programme now and it's going to be a good one.
Folk choir Sangstream are looking for a new musical director to replace Robyn Stapleton who is moving on at Easter. Contact the TMF office if you know of anyone who might be interested and we'll pass on.
RIP Joe Gordon who, with his Folk Four, introduced a wide audience to traditional song as regulars on the White Heather Club on TV back in the sixties. 'The Wark o the Weavers' was a particular favourite (at 4mins 54 secs in this clip).
All the best
DF
David Francis is Director of the Traditional Music Forum