Post by Traditional Music Forum on Jul 13, 2021 14:44:37 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 Traditional Music Forum's AGM will take place online on Saturday 31 July. As well as the AGM there will be some live music and an edition of Trad Talk, focusing on two key issues, mental health and environmental sustainability. Formal notice and full details will be going out in the next few days.
The long-awaited funding update from Creative Scotland was announced this week. Of particular interest is the move to expand the number of organisations receiving regular funding, an 'easy access' grants programme for individual artists, and a move online for applications. CS will be transitioning to the new set up in the next financial year with 2023-24 the target for rolling it out in full.
If you're like me you'll be looking forward to the proposed relaxation of Covid measures on 19 July while wondering how it's going to be possible if cases continue to surge. It looks though like there will a set of what they're calling 'baseline protective measures', some of which will be advisory and some of which will continue to be mandatory. The measures include hand hygiene, ventilation, face coverings, the continuation of Test and Protect, border controls. Any views on these can be sent to Scottish Government.
Really enjoyed this chat between Caroline Maclennan of HebCelt and Alex Macdonald of An Lanntair, two women doing a tremendous amount for our music in the Western Isles.
It seems that the Old Blind Dogs' version of Bennachie resounds through the corridors of Balmoral when the heir to the throne is in residence. It was listed in Prince Charles's top ten music picks as revealed during a hospital radio interview. Other folkie choices were harpist Catrin Finch and Miriam Makeba.
TMF member, Magnus Turpie and fiddler, Fionn Crombie Angus from Galway have been working together on a series of livestreamed events that aim to challenge prejudices and low expectations of musicians with Down's Syndrome, while raising awareness of their abilities and aspirations. They are actively looking for more people to take part in the series. If you know of anyone with Down's Syndrome who plays trad music and who might like to be involved contact Linda Campbell for further details.
The June UK and Ireland Folk Albums chart has just been released. The highest placed Scottish act is Peat and Diesel at 13, one of only three in fact, the others being Kris Drever and Runrig. Many of the names on there are completely new to me, but the link includes a Spotify playlist for further investigation.
Which is a cue to say that the deadline for entries for the Scottish Album of the Year (the SAY Award) is coming up shortly (22nd). The Award, now in its 10th year, will this year be complemented by a Sound of Young Scotland award. All the details here.
My Earworm of the Week (the EWW Award) is the bothy ballad, The Hairst o Rettie. Favourite version is still Charlie Murray's from the classic Greentrax album Bothy Ballads.
Welcome to new TMF member, composer, John Dew.
All the best
DF
David Francis is Director of the Traditional Music Forum
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