Post by Traditional Music Forum on Jul 5, 2021 18:49:10 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.
We're offering some CPD over the summer for tutors interested in working with neurodiverse groups and individuals. (The term neurodiversity covers a wide range of thought, perception, sociability, and mood: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, autism.) Teaching organisations are going to be in a better position to widen access if their tutors have more awareness of the issues, and these sessions are a first step towards that. The sessions, led by Linda Rankin, will be repeated on three different dates, 14 and 28 July, and 11 August. The sessions are free, but ticketed. Sign up here.
I enjoyed dropping in on the National Association of Accordion And Fiddle Clubs Honours Celebration earlier this week, when Anda Campbell, Peter Bruce and Malcolm Ross received their lifetime achievement awards. With the event genially hosted by John Carmichael, the highlight for me was a fascinating discussion between NAAFC chair, Nicol McLaren and drummer Malcolm Ross. The whole event is available here, with the Ross segment starting 20 minutes in
While we're on the subject of awards, the New Music Scotland Awards always include a section on 'innovation in new traditional music'. Nominees this year include Aidan O'Rourke, Brighde Caimbeul, the GRIT Orchestra, and Alastair Savage. Drake Music Scotland is also in the running for a special music making in Covid times category. The online ceremony is this coming Wednesday.
The new Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee has been confirmed. Convenor is Clare Adamson (SNP), with Jenni Minto (SNP), Alasdair Allan (SNP), Patrick Harvie (Greens), Sarah Boyack (Lab), Donald Cameron (Cons), and Sue Webber (Cons). Clare Adamson and Alasdair Allan are both trad music fans.
TMF members, the folk choir Sangstream have made their first lockdown video, after a deal of persuasion from MD Corrina Hewat that members could do the necessary recording at home. With some help from Corrina's partner, Dave Milligan, they've produced a lovely piece of work, a setting by Corrina of Robert Louis Stevenson's Swing Song, from A Child's Garden of Verses, You can watch it here.
June was Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, which concluded with Jess Smith singing Jock Stewart and The Parting Glass, along with some reminiscences about the Stewarts of Blair and John Stewart in particular.
You often hear it heard that dancing will be the last thing to come back once all restrictions are finally lifted. The RSCDS is bucking that received wisdom, albeit cautiously, with an outdoor event in Edinburgh, dancing on the lawn to live music in front of St Mary's Cathedral on Saturday 24th July. If it goes well there will be another couple of events next month.
An interesting afternoon at the English Folk Dance and Song Society's Diversifying Folk Education event this week. Discussion about how folk songs fit in with other initiatives to decolonise our cultural history, and making meaningful connections with the folk traditions of other cultures. One of the things that came through was the parlous state of music education in many parts of England. The situation here may not be ideal, but we've managed to keep our heads above water in comparison.
Welcome to new members, Richard July, and fiddler and composer, Rowan Leslie.
Going back to the NAAFC day, I was saddened to learn of a loss I'd missed previously, fiddler, Florence Burns. She and her husband, Mackie Burns were frequent visitors to Aberdeen Folk Club's Phyllis Lyon's legendary house ceilidhs in Fittie back in the day.
All the best
DF
David Francis is Director of the Traditional Music Forum