Post by Traditional Music Forum on Apr 6, 2021 11:06:22 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.
Subscription reminders have gone out this week. We've held the modest subscription fee at £20 (it's been that since 2010!). The current membership stands at around 110, so the money from subs does give us a wee bit of 'unrestricted' income in the accounting jargon. It's kept low to encourage as many individuals, groups and organisations to join, as the range and number of members reinforces the TMF's credibility in its work. Thanks to everyone who has renewed so promptly.
I mentioned last week that all of the teaching organisations have moved online for the current term. Riddell Fiddles in the Borders have a wealth of resources to back up their online teaching. Worth checking out at their website.
Staying in the Borders, Merlin Music Academy recently raised several thousand pounds for childhood cancer charities through their recording of the song 'Times Like These.'
Still on teaching a reminder that Mairi Campbell's monthly drop-in for tutors starts this Monday (21st). Notice has gone out to all the tutors who attended her Zoom workshops last month. Drop-in sessions accessible here.
Delighted to hear that Creative Scotland has renewed the Tasgadh fund, small grants for traditional arts projects. The fund offers grants of up to £1k, small amounts that can sometimes be the difference between a project happening or not. The fund continues to be managed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the deadline for the first round is October 23.
Creative Scotland's recent research on Public Intentions on Returning as Audience Members makes sobering reading. While the majority of people surveyed are missing the opportunity to go out to cultural events, only 61% are interested in going out to music events once restrictions ease. Even if a vaccine is found or the virus is eradicated 19% say they would go out less than they did before. The factors that would make people more likely to attend are reduced audience capacity, distanced seating, assurances about cleaning, and staff in face coverings in gloves.
With all the drive to move everything online it's worth noting that access to computers and the internet is not as widespread as we might be led to believe. Scottish Communities for Health and Wellbeing recently produced some case studies of communities in lockdown, and found, for example, that 80% of the people being supported at the Annexe Centre in Partick did not have a smart phone or internet access.
Covid has pushed Brexit out of the headlines over the past few months, but the concerns over what it might mean for musicians touring in Europe haven't gone away. The Musicians Union is continuing to press for the admin involved in touring to be kept to a minimum: no territorial variations on visa requirements, no double taxation, no carnets for musicians travelling with their own instruments and PA gear. There's a petition. Meanwhile, the cost of a US visa for touring musicians is to go up by 50% from next month. Waiting times will also go up.
One of the cheerier aspects of lockdown life has been an almost daily tune from the irrepressible John Carmichael.
Some sore losses this week - piper Alex Duncan, son of Ian and nephew of Gordon, and Newburgh Accordion and Fiddle Club stalwart, Hamish Sutherland, father of band leader, Gary. I was particularly saddened to hear of the death of Jane Fraser, an old flat-mate and Aberdeen Folk Club activist. Jane was the first paid development worker for the TMSA at a time when the likes of the Scottish Arts Council was starting to take folk and trad music seriously. Condolences to all the families.
All the best
DF
David Francis is Director of the Traditional Music Forum
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