Post by Traditional Music Forum on Apr 15, 2021 11:16:50 GMT
TMF Newsletter | April 2021
This newsletter is a space for our members, and others active in traditional music in Scotland, to share news, stories and thoughts. Contributions are always welcome.
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FROM THE NETHERBOW
"Folk music contributes a tremendous amount from the history of the people to the generally available pool of cultural experience, music with all kinds of beauty, expressiveness, meaning, and, above all, potential."
John McGrath (playwright and founder of 7:84 Theatre Company)
TMF BLOG:
SHARING CONTENT IN A NEW VIRTUAL WORLD, AND SOMEHOW ENJOYING IT! - by Rebecca Hill
Rebecca Hill, winner of 'Up and Coming Artist' at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2020, write about her experience with mental health and the creative arts in this fantastic blog.
SCOTLAND ONLINE: A DIRECTORY OF MUSICIANS
LIVE LAUNCH EVENT
The Traditional Music Forum have been busy working on an exciting new Directory of Musicians, a new website with a comprehensive and ever-expanding list of traditional musicians working and recording in Scotland.
We are proud to announce a live online event celebrating the launch of the directory on Friday 7th May 2021, 8pm.
ABOUT THE DIRECTORY
Scotland Online: A Directory of Musicians is the only online resource of its kind promoting our fantastic Scottish musicians and gives links to where you can buy, listen to, and support their music.
The directory supports Scottish musicians by pointing the public in the direction of where their music is available, all in one handy website. It is a huge resource which we hope people will be able to explore and enjoy discovering new music along the way.
It features Scotland's professional traditional musicians and links to their website, bandcamp, spotify, and apple music pages.
LIVE LAUNCH EVENT
Friday 7th May 2021, 8pm
Online (Crowdcast)
Tickets here
Join us for an evening of music and conversation to celebrate the launch of Scotland Online: A Directory of Musicians.
This event features special pre-recorded performances by Maeve Mackinnon (with Ali Levack & Luc McNally), Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy, and David Foley & Jack Smedley (with Jenn Butterworth). Including a live Q&A with the performers after the event!
TRADITIONAL ARTS MENTORING PROGRAMME
There is still time to apply to be part of the pilot programme of Traditional Arts Mentoring brought to you by TRACS, Creative Scotland and other platforms, which runs from June to September 2021.
Application deadline: 12th April 2021
Full info here: www.tracscotland.org
The programme is aimed at early or mid-career practitioners in Scotland with the aim of exchanging knowledge, skills and experience between the generations. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with an experienced practitioner and/or tradition bearer on sources, skills, creative approaches, professional challenges and confidence. This will be a mutually supportive dialogue, respecting different backgrounds and learning styles.
Two mentorship opportunities will be offered in each of the following:
Traditional Music
Traditional Song
Traditional Dance
Traditional Storytelling
A further two opportunities will be offered linking one or more of these artforms with Gaelic or Scots as the main medium. This does not exclude Gaelic and Scots forming part of the other mentorships.
PROPOSALS FROM PHONE ROUND
The Traditional Music Forum conducted a phone-round in the summer 2020 of most of the members of the Forum on their experiences of the Covid pandemic up to that point. The responses fell broadly into five areas: well-being, diversity, promotion, performance issues and audiences. Some of the points that came up are being addressed (✓), but taken together the list gives a good snapshot of people’s current concerns and how they might be taken forward – a powerful ‘to-do’ for the Forum in the 2020s.
Read the proposals here.
HIGHLAND ARTS ORGANISATION AWARDS MUSICIANS £40K FOR YOUTH ARTS PROJECTS ACROSS SCOTLAND
Highland arts organisation, Fèis Rois, was awarded a funding pot of £40,000 through the Youth Arts Fund Small Grants Scheme to distribute to 12 musicians delivering traditional music projects for young people.
Charlie Stewart (photo above), a fiddler from Perthshire and 2017 winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, has been awarded funds to support him to deliver a project with Seamab Residential School in Kinross, working with children with additional support needs. He said: “I’m really grateful for the funding from the Small Grants Scheme and I’m looking forward to working with the children at Seamab Residential School. The students will have the opportunity to be involved in the arrangement process, learn about different instruments and enjoy different kinds of music.”
The successful applicants will commence projects from the end of April this year and will have until March 2022 to complete their projects. They will also receive two training and networking sessions to support them with their projects.
Read the full article here.
SURVEYS
GENDER IN SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC
TMF Board Member, Catriona Hawksworth is doing some research for her Masters on how gender affects the experience of people playing Scottish traditional music.
To fill out the survey you must be over 18 years of age and be a musician or singer who performs Traditional Scottish Music in public.
You can fill out the survey here.
MUSICIANS' UNION TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY
The Musicians' Union are planning to launch a comprehensive package of webinars for members preparing to return to their careers. They want to hear from their members first, so that they can provide the most appropriate support possible.
If you are a member of the Musicians' Union fill out this short survey here.
UK MUSIC CREATORS' SURVEY 2021
UK Music has launched its flagship annual UK Music Creators’ Survey – the survey gathers vital data on how the music industry contributes to the UK’s economy, something more essential than ever as we continue to state how the Government must invest in the music industry.
The survey is open to anyone who is a full-time or part-time professional music creator. This includes artists, composers, writers and producers.
Take the survey now here.
NEW MUSIC
REBECCA HILL WITH CHARLIE STEWART - LET THAT STAND THERE
Released 28th December 2020
Available from bandcamp
Harpist Rebecca Hill, Up and Coming Artist at the 2020 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, has released a new single with BBC Radio Scotland Traditional Musician 2017, Charlie Stewart. Watch the music video on Facebook.
CONOR MARKEY - BELTANA // OVER THE OCEANS
Released 4th February 2021
Available from bandcamp
Conor Markey (The Paul McKenna Band) has released a brand-new single featuring two of his own compositions. He is joined on the recording by Benedict Morris, Hugh Sheehan, and Pablo Lafuente.
GLIN - APPLE X
Released 19th March 2021
Available from bandcamp
BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician 2020, Ali Levack has teamed up with guitarist Craig Irving in a brand new musical duo called GLIN. Apple x is their first single featuring 'Kenny Gillies of Applecross' written by Ali.
JACK BADCOCK - ANYWHERE BUT HERE
Released 26th March 2021
Available from bandcamp
'Anywhere but Here' is the second single from 'The Driftwood Project' - a five-track EP by singer and guitarist Jack Badcock (Dallahan) released one track at a time throughout 2021.
PROJECT SMOK - ESPERANZA
Released 26th March 2021
Available from bandcamp
Esperanza is an exciting, new six-track EP release from trio Project SMOK.
MIKE MCGOLDRICK | JOHN MCCUSKER | JOHN DOYLE - AT HOME THIS SPRING LIVE
Released 28th March 2021
Available from apple music and spotify
The new live album by powerhouse trio Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle is out now.
ADAM & THE NAPIERS - IT'LL BE ALL PRINE IN THE END
Released 2nd April 2021
Available from bandcamp
This EP is intended to make you smile while remembering John Prine and the wonderful legacy of songs that he's left behind.
Adam and the Napiers is a long distance lockdown project celebrating the songs of John Prine featuring Adam Ross (Randolph's Leap), Findlay Napier, Gillian Frame and, if you listen very closely, Lucy Napier.
IONA FYFE - SCOTLAND YET
Released 2nd April 2021
Available from bandcamp
Scotland Yet is the new single from Scottish folksinger Iona Fyfe. The song was written by Scottish folksinger Davy Steele at the time of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum. The single features Charlie Stewart (double bass), Jack McRobbie (guitar), and Graham Rorie (fiddle) who engineered, mixed, and produced the single.
ROBBIE GREIG - BLÀR INBHIR LÒCHAIDH (FT. EILIDH CORMACK)
Released 5th April 2021
Available from bandcamp
Arranged by Robbie Greig and performed by Eilidh Cormack, this is a song from the perspective of a woman who has lost her family, her house and her land at the Battle of Inverlochy (1645). Obviously a Scottish song, but the tune may have been added in Canada, perhaps by an exiled Scot.
AIDAN MOODIE - WELCOME
Releases 16th April 2021
Available here
Aidan Moodie (Gnoss / Mànran) is an Orcadian folk musician based in Glasgow. He is releasing his debut solo single 'Welcome' this April.
STARAN
Releases 21st May 2021
Available from bandcamp
‘Staran' are a new collective featuring Kim Carnie, John Lowrie, Jack Smedley, Innes White and James Lindsay. Their debut, self-titled release is the first collaboration from this exciting combination of musicians and sees them combine traditional tunes with original compositions and Gaelic song.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TOLBOOTH SHINDIG
KINNARIS QUINTET
8TH APRIL 2021, 8PM
Tolbooth Shindig is back for 2021 with a brand new series of concerts that have been filmed live in Tolbooth Stirling, and will be broadcast weekly on a Thursday from Tolbooth Facebook.
www.stirlingevents.org
TOLBOOTH SHINDIG
ROSS AINSLIE & ALI HUTTON
29TH APRIL 2021, 7PM
Tolbooth Shindig is back for 2021 with a brand new series of concerts that have been filmed live in Tolbooth Stirling, and will be broadcast weekly on a Thursday from Tolbooth Facebook.
www.stirlingevents.org
EABHAL LIVE AT HANDS UP FOR TRAD MUSIC CLUB
9TH APRIL 2021, 8PM
Eabhal perform a live set for Hands Up For Trad Music Club straight to your living room.
This is a live concert on Friday 9th April at 8pm that will be available to watch and buy tickets for 7 days after.
Eabhal came together while based in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Alongside traditional songs, contemporary and self-penned tunes, the band draws influence from other musical cultures and unites them with in their music. Hands up for Trad’s Battle of the Folk Bands 2018 winners, Eabhal present a blend of energetic instrumental sets and soulful songs. The band have just released their first studio album, 'This is How the Ladies Dance', long listed for Album of the year MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2019 and have been touring it to audiences throughout Scotland, Europe and China.
More info and tickets here.
THE 43RD GLENFARG FOLK FEAST
9TH - 11TH APRIL 2021
This year the 43rd Glenfarg Folk Feast will take place online. It will feature performances from guest artists Siobhan Miller & Euan Burton, Hannah Rarity, Tripple, Paul McKenna, and Harp and A Monkey, as well as a song competition and a sing-around.
More info and tickets here.
THE 40TH EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL
9TH - 12TH APRIL 2021, ONLINE
Celebrating the 40th Festival and the 90th anniversary of The Clarsach Society with online concerts, courses, workshops and much more, with performers and teachers from Scotland and all over the world.
www.harpfestival.co.uk
EVERYONE CAN WRITE TUNES
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Lauren MacColl, Anna Massie, Angus MacKenzie, and Fin Moore show you how to get going with your tune writing in these online workshops.
This course is for anyone who can play a tune on an instrument - all levels and all instruments welcome. You don't need to have any experience of writing tunes or any knowledge of how to write out music.
The workshops will take place over 9th, 10th, 15th & 22nd April, and 1st May. By the first weekend in May, you will have your own tune written out and have gained the confidence you need to continue along your journey of writing music.
More info and booking here.
HANDS UP FOR TRAD SHOWCASE 2021
10TH APRIL 2021, 1PM ONWARDS
Hands Up for Trad are hosting a live music showcase on the 10th April 2021. After asking musicians to apply to take part in the Showcase, Hands Up For Trad received so many entries that they are already planning a second showcase!
You can watch the Showcase for free on the HUFT Facebook page and YouTube channel. Anna Massie will be the compere for the day. Make sure you tune in to hear some great music.
13:00 Sir-Reel Clarks
13:40 Evie Waddell
14:20 Madderam
15:00 Chris Gray
15:40 Lapwyng
16:20 Beth Malcolm
17:00 The Canny Band (feat BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner Michael Biggins)
17:40 Miguel Girão
18:20 Tannara (photo above)
19:15 Binky Blue
20:10 DOSCA
MAKE MUSIC DAY MEET UP - SCOTLAND
13TH APRIL 2021, 4.30PM - 6PM
Calling anyone and everyone interested in music in Scotland. Join this meet-up to find out how you can get involved in Make Music Day - 21st June 2021.
At the meet-up you’ll find out about what Make Music Day is and the different ways you can be involved. You’ll hear about what happened across Scotland for Make Music Day 2020 and plan for 2021, and also have the opportunity to meet other people involved in music-making in Scotland.
The Make Music Day team will also be there to share with you details about forthcoming trainings, tools and know-how so you can run your own music-related activities. We’re hoping that this meet-up will spark some fab ideas about ways to make Make Music Day 2021 the best yet and you’ll leave with plans as to how you can fill homes, streets, the Internet and communities with music on 21st June.
More info and how to join in here.
FLUTEFLING ONLINE 2021
23RD - 25TH APRIL 2021
FluteFling are delighted to announce a workshop weekend with Tom Oakes. As uncertain times continue, make some space and time for you and your music as Scottish Trad Awards nominee Tom guides you through ideas to develop your technique and repertoire on flutes and whistles.
Delivered over Zoom from his flat in Leith, the historic maritime hub of Edinburgh, the online workshops will take place over one single weekend with a morning and afternoon part of Saturday and Sunday. In an extra workshop on Sunday, Tom will present a masterclass on making the most of keyed instruments within traditional music.
More info and tickets here.
NATIONAL PIPING CENTRE - SPRING ONLINE ADULT GATHERING
26TH - 29TH APRIL 2021
Brought to you by The National Piping Centre the Spring Adult Gathering, will feature individual lessons, workshops, masterclasses, practice time and more, all online from the comfort of your own home. With World Class piping teachers Willie McCallum, Dan Nevans, Dr Andrew Bova, Connor Sinclair, Ross Ainslie and Wilson Brown.
More info and booking here.
#SingAGaelicSongDay #SingAScotsSongDay
30TH APRIL 2021
On Friday 30th April Hands Up For Trad are hosting #singagaelicsongday and #singascotssongday.
Anyone who uses social media can upload a video or audio of themselves singing a song in either language. Make sure to use the relevant hashtag. It will be a brilliant day of online music where everyone can join in!
VIRTUAL FÈIS ROIS WEEKEND
30TH APRIL - 3RD MAY 2021
Unable to gather in Ullapool for another year, this is the second Virtual Fèis Rois event which offers an exciting mix of workshops, sessions, lectures and concerts for people of all ages to enjoy.
More information on this fantastic Fèis Rois long-weekend here.
WORLD PLAY A STRATHSPEY DAY
14TH MAY 2021
After the amazing success of World Play a Strathspey Day 2019 and 2020, Hands Up For Trad are once again inviting everyone to join in with the World Play a Strathspey Day 2021. All you have to do is record a video of yourself playing a strathspey, upload it to social media, and make sure to use the hashtag #worldplayastrathspeyday.
CLAIRE GULLAN'S STRATHSPEY & REEL WEEKEND
14TH - 16TH MAY 2021
A music making weekend open to all ages, brought to you by Claire Gullan and the Hands Up For Trad Strathspey and Reel Society.
The weekend will feature a mixture of strathspey and reel sessions, instrumental workshops, and a Saturday evening gig from Claire Gullan and Will Marshall. This year it will be held on Zoom and you can join in with any instrument.
More info and booking here.
PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
20TH - 29TH MAY 2021
Over ten days in May, Perth Festival of the Arts will broadcast an arts-packed festival online including Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton (with friends) and Fat-Suit.
perthfestival.co.uk
PIPING LIVE! 2021
7TH - 15TH AUGUST 2021
With the success of the reduced programme last year, this year will see the livestreaming and premiering of as many events as possible across the nine days of the festival.
However, with the Scottish Government announcing recently that audiences may be able to return to venues – subject to capacity constraints – organisers are looking at adapting as many events as possible to allow audiences to attend, where that can happen. If this is possible, there will be strict hygiene guidelines in place.
Finlay MacDonald, Piping Live!’s Artistic Director said: “We are preparing a fantastic line up and want our friends worldwide to be able to come together both online and, if possible, in person to enjoy the music that we all love.”
A full announcement with more details of the wider Piping Live! programme will be made towards the end of May.
Read more here.
OPPORTUNITIES
ARMADALE CASTLE CLARSACH COMPETITION
The prestigious Scottish Harp competition, the Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Senior Clàrsach (UK), is now open for entries. The competition is open to all players aged 18 and over.
The competition recital will take place on Saturday 12th June 2021 at 2pm. The competition will be held online with live judging at Armadale Castle. Competition performances will be streamed on Armadale Castle’s social media channels and a film made available online.
The winner will receive a prize of £2000 and the opportunity to perform at the 2022 Edinburgh International Harp Festival through a collaboration with The Clarsach Society. Each finalist will receive an appearance fee of £1000.
Deadline for entries: 30th April 2021
More info and how to apply here.
ALAN SURTEES TRUST GRANT
The Alan Surtees Trust is a grant giving organisation that supports performers whose work is rooted in, or influenced by, traditional music and arts.
Are you a singer, musician, dancer, or folk artist aged 16-30 years old? You can apply for up to £1000 from the Alan Surtees Trust to help progress your career.
Application deadline: 30th April 2021
More info and how to apply here.
JOB OPPORTUNITY:
TRADITIONAL ARTS OFFICER
Creative Scotland are looking for a Traditional Arts Officer to join their team
Closing date: 12pm, 12th April 2021
More info and how to apply here.
NURTURING TALENT FUND:
NEW ROUTES PROJECT
Children in Scotland are launching a new project funded by Creative Scotland. The are looking for creative young people aged 11-25 with disabilities or additional support needs to help them manage the fund.
Apply by 23rd April 2021
More info here.
RESOURCES
MAIREARAD GREEN
A COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS, VOL II
Mairearad Green is releasing a brand-new tunebook and it's available to pre-order now from bandcamp.
There are 40 new tunes, including collaborations with Anna Massie, Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl. For all the pipers out there, the pipe tunes also have the pipe gracings scored.
THE 40TH EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL & THE CLARSACH SOCIETY 90TH ANNIVERSARY FOLIO
This new tunebook is dedicated to Kate Gray, 1944 -2019.
It is suitable for mixed ability levels and is packed full of fantastic tunes by composers such as Corrina Hewat, Maeve Gilchrist, and Jennifer Port.
It is available to buy from Creighton's Collection
10 TIPS FOR MEMORISING HARP MUSIC - BY AILIE ROBERTSON
Some people memorise effortlessly, without even trying, but for others it can be a struggle. Ailie Robertson has put together some practical tips to make it easier. Although this post is aimed at harp players, it can be used and adapted for other instruments too.
Read Ailie's memorising tips here.
PODCASTS
SIMON THOUMIRE PODCAST
Spending A Moment With Ian McCalman
It’s not often you get to meet your heroes and Ian McCalman is one of mine. I wouldn’t have had the career in folk music with out Ian and the McCalmans. Ian has done so much and is a great interview and I know you will enjoy this.
Spending A Moment With Ali Levack
It was great to chat to whistle player and piper Ali Levack as his year of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award Winner came to an end.
Spending A Moment With fiddler Duncan Chisholm
This chat with fiddler Duncan Chisholm was originally recorded on the Hands Up for Trad Afternoon Show on Wednesday 17th March 2021. Duncan is an amazing musician with some fabulous stories about his music and past.
Spending A Moment With John Carmichael
This chat was originally recorded on the Hands Up for Trad Afternoon Show in February 2021. As you will hear accordionist John Carmichael is an amazing guy with so many fantastic experiences.
MR THOUMIRE'S FINE TUNES
FOOTSTOMPIN' FREE SCOTTISH MUSIC PODCAST
No. 223
With music from Martyn Bennett, Staran, James Lindsay, Gnoss, Fraser Fifield, Lapwyng, Roberto Cassani, Sam Lee, Ryan Molloy & Fergal Scahill, Boo Hewerdine & Findlay Napier, Jack Badcock, Glin, Dick Gaughan.
No. 222
With music from Aoife Donovan ft. Kris Drever, Mike Vass, Iona Fyfe, Beoga, Ainsley Hamill, Kenneth Macfarlane, Simon Thoumire Orchestra, Rachel Walker, Tim Edey, Brian Finnegan, Tannara.
No. 221
With music from Ross Miller, Julie Fowlis | Eamon Doorley | Zoe Conway | John McIntyre, Tide Lines, Innes Watson, Lucy Pringle & Chris Wright, Kathryn Tickell, Robbie Greig ft. Paul McKenna, Catriona Price & Alex Roth, Dallahan, Amy Papiranksy, Deirdre Graham.
GET INVOLVED
Do you have an event or news item you'd like us to promote? Would you, or anyone in your organisation, like to write a blog for us? We welcome submissions! Please contact us.
Not a member yet? Join us for just £20 a year and benefit from being round the table, receiving support and access to our services.
The more organisations that join us, the louder and stronger our voice. Membership is open to organisations and individuals working in the field of traditional music in Scotland.
Website
TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is an organisation that brings together three forums: The Storytelling Forum, The Dance Forum and The Traditional Music Forum in a collaborative alliance designed to improve the knowledge, practice, development and advocacy of Scotland’s traditional arts in a contemporary world.
The Traditional Music Forum is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), Scottish charity no. SC042867
Copyright © 2021 Traditional Music Forum, All rights reserved.
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