EDINBURGH the QUEEN'S HALL & SUMMERHALL 17 th -19 th NOVEMBER SESSIONS RECITALS CEILIDHS ADULT & YOUTH WORKSHOPS CONCERTS STALLS TALKS www.scotsfiddlefestival.com
SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERING Volunteers help make the festival happen. We need you! Various great roles are available, examples include: Venue Coordinators; Stewards; Artist Liaison Assistants; Information Desk Hosts; Stage Management Assistants and many more! There are also year-round opportunities as part of the committee. Get in touch at volunteers@scotsfiddlefestival.com. SPONSORSHIP / DONATIONS The Scots Fiddle Festival is a charitable organisation. Continued public and private sector funding is vital to ensure the ambitions and aspirations of the festival are realised. We appreciate donations at all levels and if you would like to support the festival, please email us at info@scotsfiddlefestival.com BECOME A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL! Fiddle 2017 is organised by the Scots Fiddle Festival charity, run by volunteers, and our aim is to promote traditional fiddle music. We are inviting everyone who cares about the future of fiddling in Scotland to become a friend of the Festival to help keep the event going. By becoming a friend of the festival, you will: help to give traditional fiddling a strong and vibrant future in Scotland. support the many young fiddlers who are taking forward the tradition, and who perform at the festival. get the opportunity to help plan the event. receive advance notice of the programme. be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting A Friend of the Festival membership is an annual subscription of 20. Apply online at www.scotsfiddlefestival.com or at the information table during the festival. Many thanks to our funders and supporters: design: wylliecat.co.uk
WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL The Scots Fiddle Festival The Scots Fiddle Festival started in 1996 with the aim of promoting and sustaining traditional fiddle music. 21 years on this is still our aim and, over the years, the number of events at the festival has tripled. It brings people together from all over the world, as performers and audience members, and continues to inspire thousands to take part in traditional music, either as players, learners, listeners or dancers. Our all-volunteer committee spends the year organising the festival and is helped, at the weekend itself, by a further army of enthusiastic volunteers. Huge thanks to all of them and everyone who makes the festival what it is. The Scots Fiddle Festival Ltd 9 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH6 4AD t: 0131 555 7669 e: info@scotsfiddlefestival.com www.scotsfiddlefestival.com The Scots Fiddle Festival is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Scotland No: SC217588 and a Scottish Charity No: SC031564 The programme is correct at time of going to press but may be subject to minor changes beyond our control. CONTENTS Friday & Saturday night 2 Sunday night 5 Recitals 6 Workshops Saturday 9 Workshops Sunday 10 Timetable 12 Youth Programme 15 Special events Saturday 17 Special events Sunday 19 Free events 21 Tickets 25 1
FRIDAY NIGHT Graham FRIDAY CONCERT (THE QUEEN'S HALL) 7.30 10pm. Tickets 18/ 15 Snuffbox Glasgow based acoustic trio Snuffbox features Charlie Stewart on fiddle, Rufus Huggan on cello and Luc McNally on guitar and vocals. Mixing traditional tunes with contemporary flair, as well as quirky, original material, Snuffbox melds old and new to create their own unique sound. Charlie is a member of Dosca and Techno Trad Collective Sketch and won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year at Celtic Connections 2017. Luc is also a member of Sketch and Dosca and is much in demand as a player on the burgeoning Scottish trad scene. Currently studying at RCS in Glasgow, Rufus is also very much in demand as a player. Graham Mackenzie Highland fiddler Graham Mackenzie hails from Inverness. Twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, he was also a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. 2015 saw Graham commissioned by Celtic Connections for the New Voices series. Entitled Crossing Borders, it was released as his debut album in September 2016 and has featured across BBC Radio. Graham was also nominated as Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Awards 2016 and performed with the Grit orchestra, Greg Lawson s orchestration of Martyn Bennett s album Grit, and with The Undivided, a folk/jazz fusion project fronted by Mike McGoldrick and Neil Yates. He is also a founder member of new folk band, Aizle who released their debut EP in January 2017 and remains the youngest ever winner of a Danny Kyle Open Stage award. Grouse Ceilidh Band FRIDAY CEILIDH (SUMMERHALL) 7.30pm 11pm, Main Hall. Tickets 9/ 7 Grouse Ceilidh Band Grouse Ceilidh Band are one of the UK s finest ceilidh bands with years of experience playing professionally for weddings, parties, corporate events, functions and special occasions. A night of dancing with the band includes classic ceilidh dances like the Gay Gordons and Dashing White Sergeant in addition to popular new dances. Newcomers needn t worry, as all dances are guided step-by-step by our expert callers, ensuring a fun and inclusive night for all! FESTIVAL CLUB (SUMMERHALL) 11pm 1am, Dissection Room. Tickets 5 Want more music? The Festival Club brings you even more great music after the recitals and concerts are over. Join local and international artists as they make special unbilled appearances. You may get the opportunity to see someone you wouldn t have had a chance to hear elsewhere and witness some spellbinding musical collaborations. SESSION (SUMMERHALL) 10pm - 1am, Cafe. A lively session for everyone to join in. Snuffbox 2
SATURDAY CONCERT (THE QUEEN'S HALL) 7.30 10pm. Tickets 18/ 15 The Scots Fiddle Festival Outreach Project will be opening this special concert. Led by Eilidh Steel, this group of young musicians from across Scotland will be working together towards performing at the festival. This project has been running for four years with great success, giving groups of young fiddlers an insight in being professional musicians in the form of arranging repertoire, recording and performing. Patsy Reid Patsy made her Scots Fiddle Festival debut 16 years ago. Since then, the Perthshire fiddle player has been in much demand as a session musician, collaborating with the likes of Kathryn Tickell, Zakir Hussain, Julie Fowlis, Donald Shaw and Duncan Chisholm. Fellow fiddler, Aidan O Rourke of Lau, said: She has an accuracy and tone that many fiddlers only dream of and has developed a unique style, which seems to grow in depth and maturity. 2017 sees her 4th release, The Other Side - her debut as a songwriter, which promises an exciting new direction to her music. Delighted to return to the festival, Patsy appears with her 4-piece band, featuring Ewan MacPherson (guitar & mandolin), Signy Jakobsdóttir (drums & percussion) and Alistair Paterson (keys & harmonium). Jeremy Kittel Trio Award-winning fiddler, violinist, and composer Jeremy Kittel has worked with everyone from My Morning Jacket to Yo-Yo Ma to Bela Fleck. The Compass Records recording artist is a master of Scottish, Irish, classical, jazz, and bluegrass traditions, and is gifted in fusing and revitalizing styles. A member of the Turtle Island Quartet for five years, he also performs as a guest artist with symphony orchestras and was twice featured on A Prairie Home Companion. Kittel performs with leading virtuosos Joshua Pinkham on mandolin and Quinn Bachand on guitar. FESTIVAL CLUB (SUMMERHALL) 11pm 1am, Dissection Room. Tickets 5 Want more music? See Friday s description! SESSION (SUMMERHALL) 10pm - 1am, Cafe. A lively session for everyone to join in. Jeremy Trio SATURDAY NIGHT FF Outreach Project by Mark Neal Get all 3 concerts and Festival Club entry for one special price and save! See page 25 for details Patsy 3
Specialists in stringed instruments, bows and accessories from beginner to professional level A Scottish violin by Matthew Hardie, Edinburgh, 1820. Price on request EDINBURGH 7 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EB info@stringersmusic.com 0131 557 5432 LONDON 99 Lisson Grove, London, NW1 6UP london@stringersmusic.com 020 7224 9099
Jenny & Màiri SUNDAY CONCERT (SUMMERHALL) 8 10.30pm, Dissection Room. Tickets 15/ 10 SUNDAY NIGHT Jenna Moynihan and Mairi Chaimbeul Jenna from New York & Màiri from Skye combine to make contemporary music rooted in the melodies of Scotland and Appalachia. Heavily steeped in tradition, their music breathes new life into old tunes and merges wide-ranging influences into a sound that is at once grounded and adventurous. Their debut album, One Two was released in April 2017. One of the best in the new generation of acoustic musicians, Jenna s inventive fiddling style draws strongly from the Scottish tradition, but is in no way bound by it. Folk Radio UK said it is clear that her playing is resonating straight from the depths of her soul. She has taken part in many musical collaborations including with Hamish Napier, Phil Cunningham and Old Blind Dogs and performed as a soloist at Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops. In 2015 Jenna released her debut solo album, Woven. Màiri s versatile sound combines a deep-rooted sense of Gaelic tradition with a distinctive improvising voice and honed classical technique. Twice nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and a finalist in the BBC Young & Jazz Musician of the Year, she can currently be heard with progtrad group Aerialists, the Jacob Matheus Group, and legendary violinist Darol Anger & the Furies. Dallahan Dallahan is one of the most thrilling forces in the international folk music scene; heavily rooted in traditional Irish music, but with hugely diverse backgrounds and influences. They call on their mixed Irish, Scottish and Hungarian heritage to create a unique and seamless musical montage, drawing in influences from jazz, funk, pop and classical music. Dallahan will push and pull you along on a musical journey, artistically transcending from tender and delicate songs from Transylvania, to relentlessly punchy Irish dance tunes littered with funk grooves and everything in between. Dallhan 5
RECITALS SATURDAY SATURDAY RECITAL SERIES (SUMMERHALL) DISSECTION ROOM. Hours of concert play for the price of a Day Ticket or Festival Saver. 12 noon : Archie McAllister 2 pm : OBT OBT is comprised of Tom Oakes, Jon Bews and Daniel Thorpe who came together in 2016 to explore Scottish, Irish and English traditional music alongside contemporary arrangement ideas resonating in the sphere of world music. Lush strings, driving rhythms and intricate melodies playing on fiddle, nylon string alto guitar and wooden flute, OBT bring a wide range of experience. Dan and Jon are both experts in Scottish traditional dance music and Jon is frequently in demand in the contemporary music scene playing with James Yorkston and the Last Battle. Tom comes from the Irish music world but also composes everything from electronic soundscapes to string quintets and theatre scores. Mairi Archie OBT Playing the fiddle for over 30 years, Archie has played with many top musicians like Ross Kennedy and The Jura Ceilidh Band, and produced his own acclaimed album Fiddlers Rock. 2004 saw him nominated for best musician at the annual Trad awards. Presently he plays with his own band as well as Kinloch Ceilidh band and also as a session musician with the likes of Skipinnish. He now passes on his skills and knowledge through teaching youngsters and continues with radio and TV work. 1 pm : Mairi Therese Gilfedder From South Uist, Mairi Thérèse was immersed in local Gaelic song and piping traditions from very young before taking up the fiddle. Part of the young fiddle group Flying Fiddles, she then studied music at Glasgow Uni. Today s recital features a blend of old and new Gaelic airs as well as some of Mairi s own compositions. She s joined by Pablo Lafuente on guitar and Alistair Iain Paterson on piano and harmonium. 3 pm : Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach Charlie Grey and Joseph Peach s music is as much based on self-penned material as it is informed by their native musical traditions. Their collective voice, captivating fiddle supported by sensitive piano, is the product of hundreds of gigs and innumerable hours playing together. From a mellow base, the music rises and falls, slowly building to moments of intensity, breaking away into powerful improvisation. Their album Waves Rise from Quiet Water captures this essential fiddle/ piano combination with a number of instrumental additions. 6 Carly Charlie & Joseph 4 pm : Carly Blain Carly, from Kelso, graduated from Newcastle Uni with a Folk and Traditional Music Degree. She s performed widely - Kazakhstan & Borneo among other - with the bands Real Time and Monster Ceilidh Band, and duos with Graeme Armstrong. She uses her own compositions for teaching and on her CDs. Musical director of award winning Stocksfield Stompers folk band, Carly released a book of her compositions which will be performed today with Harris Playfair on piano.
Amy SUNDAY RECITAL SERIES (SUMMERHALL) DISSECTION ROOM. Hours of concert play for the price of a Day Ticket or Festival Saver. RECITALS SUNDAY 12 noon : RCS Junior Conservatoire The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Traditional Ensemble, aged 11 18, hail from all corners of Scotland. Led by Lauren MacColl, they rehearse weekly at the RCS. The students create their own arrangements, as well as working with pieces arranged by tutors and leading names in Scottish traditional music. 1 pm : Fika Collective This new group of fiddlers share a passion for Scottish & Nordic folk and other unusual world music. Choosing tunes around stories with distinct visual imagery, they ve played together in various combinations for years. Lachlan Green, from Canberra, has performed as a Hardanger fiddler in Australia, Scandinavia and the UK. Libby McGugan, from Glasgow, studied at UHI and is a trad session addict, co-running Nordic sessions with Lachlan. Fiddler, bouzouki player and singer Malcolm Bushby is from Tasmania with Scottish roots who also studied at UHI and Sally Simpson, from Portobello, studied at The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music as well as in Stockholm. 3 pm : Sally Simpson & Catriona Hawksworth Sally and Catriona form a striking and dynamic fiddle and piano duo playing repertoire from the Scottish traditions alongside new compositions. Their music is influenced by Scottish music while incorporating elements of traditions from further afield. Their sound is intimate and personal, focusing on the link between the two musicians, making full use of dynamics and textures, while respecting the traditions from which their music is taken. 4 pm : Amy Geddes Musician & educator Amy Geddes grew up in Galloway and is widely recognised as a leading light in the world of contemporary Scottish Fiddle. She is an inspirational tutor and Fiddle 2017 sees the launch of her first book Fyne Fiddles Volume 1, a suite of lessons also available online and on CD. Amy has recorded 3 solo fiddle CDs but her most recent release, Redwood Mountain, highlights her combined vocal & instrumental skills in a reimagining of old American folk songs. RCS 2 pm : Pete Clark & Muriel Johnstone Pete Clark lives in highland Perthshire and plays throughout Scotland and beyond. His most frequent musical companions are Muriel, Gregor Lowrey (accordion) and Ron Shaw (cello). He features in the 4-piece line up Auld Hat, New Heids featuring singing brothers Fraser and Ian Bruce. Pianist extraordinaire and prolific composer, Muriel Johnstone is highly acclaimed in the world of Scottish country dancing. She obtained a B(Mus) degree from Edinburgh and teaching qualification from Moray House. Although classically trained, she always found the pull of traditional music irresistible, and has played and taught for Scottish dance all over the world, working with Angus Fitchet and Alasdair Fraser among others. 5 pm : Final Stramash Your chance to play with our performers in one of the largest sessions in the UK. Pete & Muriel Malcolm Sally & Catriona Libby Lachlan 7
S C O T T I S H T R A D I T I O N A L T U N E S From the best music collections of Niel Gow, Simon Fraser, Scott Skinner and John Glen etc A N D C O N T E M P O R A R Y T U N E S F rom Scotland s Phil Cunningham, Gordon Duncan, Neil Dickie, Bobby MacLeod, Addie Harper, Farquhar MacDonald, Shetland s Tom Anderson and Cape Breton s John Morris Rankine Blossom house A small family run B&B in the Southside of Edinburgh. Excellent bus service. Close to Queens Hall, Commonwealth Pool and Pollock Halls. THE BEST OF SCOTTISH MUSIC AND CULTURE Cruinn Còmhla THE WELL TRAVELLED FIDDLER S SESSION COLLECTION 8 MINTO STREET EDINBURGH EH9 1RG t: 0131 667 5353 e: info@blossomrooms.co.uk www.blossomguesthouseedinburgh.co.uk Scottish Music Books Digital Sheet Music ebooks, DVDs & MP3s Secure online ordering s c o t l a n d s m u s i c 13 Upper Breakish Isle of Skye IV42 8PY 13 Breacais Ard An t-eilean Sgitheanach Alba T: +44 (0)1471 info@scotlandsmusic.com 822 528 www.scotlandsmusic.com
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS (SUMMERHALL) Please book workshops in advance. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis and, in the interests of participants, spectators are not allowed into workshops. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult (if taking part, the adult must also have a ticket). MORNING: 10-11.30 am Carly Blain's tunes : Carly Blain Workshop Room 1 (beginner) Carly Blain, from Kelso, will be teaching from her new tune book. There are a variety of tunes in the book from beginner to advanced level with many different keys and time signatures. She will teach her tunes by ear and you can purchase a signed copy of the book for 15. Tempo, tone & expression : Pete Clark Workshop Room 2 (intermediate) How to get the best out of your fiddle: With a focus on slow airs, Pete will use this workshop to give you guidance on set-up, strings, rosin, bowing technique and fingering. Pete teaches privately, runs fiddle courses in Birnam and founded the annual Niel Gow Festival. Carly AFTERNOON: 12-1.30 pm Fiddle Technique : Patsy Reid Workshop Room 1 (intermediate / advanced) Patsy is a versatile fiddle & viola player from Perthshire, specialising in performing, teaching and writing. As a teacher, she incorporates classical technique, focusing particularly on bow control, dexterity and tone. Students will also learn a melody by ear, including stylistic features such as bowing and ornamentation. Beginner Fiddle : Daniel Thorpe Workshop Room 2 (beginner) Originally from Inverurie, Daniel went to the National Centre of Excellence in Plockton then took a degree in Scottish Music at the RCS in Glasgow. Winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2010, he has gone on to teach at various projects in Scotland, including GFW, the RCS and YMI as well as having numerous private pupils. He also plays gigs and ceilidhs across Scotland and Europe with a number of groups. AFTERNOON: 2-3.30 pm Tunes from Crossing Borders : Graham MacKenzie Workshop Room 1 (advanced) Graham has a broad knowledge of musical genres and is a keen composer of traditional music. His style is influenced by his roots in the Highlands as well as his travels to Cape Breton and Ireland. This workshop will focus on some of Graham s compositions as well as insights to bowing and ornamentation. Archie WORK SHOPS SATURDAY Daniel Graham Patsy West Coast Fiddle : Archie McAllister Workshop Room 2 (intermediate) A west coast fiddler from Campbeltown, Archie has been playing for 35 years. He has played with many bands including Jura Ceilidh Band, and Skipinnish which he plays with at the moment. He continues to enjoy performing and passing on his skills to the younger generation. 9
SUNDAY WORKSHOPS (SUMMERHALL) MORNING: 10-11.30 am Learn to play an instrument in the Scottish Tradition, or join in classes with players of similar ability or mixed instruments. From Absolute Beginners to Ceilidh Band Classes for Adults & Children Monday and Wednesday nights at John Wheatley. Come along and join in the fun. For more class details and rates go to A taste of Fyne Fiddles : Amy Geddes Workshop Room 1 (intermediate) Amy will be using material from her new book Fyne Fiddles Volume One which is officially launching at this year s festival (see Special Events). The book is made up of a suite of lessons, each using one melody to focus on different elements of technique and playing style as taught by Amy and Donald Knox on courses at Ardkinglas House in Argyll. It includes arrangements for 2 or 3 fiddles and guitar. The material is a mixture of traditional & contemporary pieces including some composed and all arranged by the authors. Donald & his guitar will be joining Amy at this workshop. Suitable for lower intermediate players and above, participants can play by ear or from music. Mixed Instrument Appalachian Old-Time : Jenna Moynihan & Mairi Chaimbeul Workshop Room 2 (intermediate / advanced) Jenna (fiddle) & Màiri (harp) will teach a tune from the Appalachian Old-Time tradition. Students should be comfortable learning by ear and are strongly encouraged to bring a recording device to the class. All instruments are welcome. Amy Jenna & Màiri
AFTERNOON: 12-1.30 pm Guitar : Quinn Bachand Workshop Room 1 (Intermediate) Although Quinn s range of styles include jazz and bluegrass, it is his talents in the world of Celtic music that draw the most attention. His unique harmonies, hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting. He performs with his sister Qristina and has also toured nationally and internationally with Canadian fiddling icons Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster. Mandolin : Josh Pinkham Workshop Room 2 (Intermediate) Named the future of the mandolin by Mandolin Magazine, and dubbed one of the most important young improvisers on the acoustic scene today by mandolin grandmaster David Grisman, Josh Pinkham has established himself as a striking performer, composer and recording artist. He continues to push his mandolin into new and old territory, excelling in Bluegrass, Newgrass, Jazz and Classical music. AFTERNOON: 2-3.30 pm Tunes & Technique : Jeremy Kittel Workshop Room 1 (Advanced) Fiddling is a rich and compelling form of communication. We ll use a couple of tunes as vehicles to explore bowing styles, rhythms, variations and improvisation, as well as philosophical / holistic ideas useful for practicing, performing, recording and finding one s creative muse. DADGAD Guitar : Tom Oakes Workshop Room 2 (Intermediate) Tom is principal traditional flute tutor and DADGAD guitar tutor at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. Highly in demand as a workshop leader teaching flute, whistle, guitar (standard and DADGAD tuning), Tom has taught at numerous residential music schools including Tinto Summer School, Adult Feis Rois, The Hub at Cambridge Folk Festival and the Irish Association of Paris. Tom also leads improvisation, composition and instrumental classes with the much respected Paragon Ensemble (Glasgow) where he specialises in music for children and adults with additional support needs. Tom WORK SHOPS SUNDAY Josh Jeremy Quinn 11
FRI & SAT AT A GLANCE CONCERT / CEILIDH RECITALS WORKSHOPS SESSIONS SPECIAL EVENTS FREE EVENTS FRI 18 Workshop Rm 1 Workshop Rm 2 Workshop Rm 3 Cafe/Basement Anatomy Techcube Courtyard Dissection Main Hall The Queen s Hall 7 pm 8 pm Ceilidh 7.30-11pm Concert 7.30-10pm 9 pm 10 pm Session 11 pm Cafe 10pm - 1am Festival Club 11pm - 1am 12 am SAT 19 Workshop Rm 1 Workshop Rm 2 Workshop Rm 3 Cafe/Basememt Anatomy Techcube Courtyard Dissection Main Hall Queen s Hall 10 am Carly s Tunes Tempo, Tone... Beginner FESTIVAL 11 am Carly Blain Pete Clark Sally Simpson HUB: 10-11.30am 10-11.30am 10-11.30am Session 11am - 12noon Try Fiddle & Stalls 12 pm Technique Patsy Reid Beginner Fiddle Daniel Thorpe 10 am - 5pm 12noon Archie McAllister 1 pm 12-1.30pm 12-1.30pm 1pm talk Pete Clark 1pm Mairi Th Gilfedder 2 pm Crossing Borders Graham MacKenzie 2-3.30pm West Coast Archie McAllister 2-3.30pm Slow Session Basement 1-5pm 2pm discussion BIT Collective 3 pm 3pm talk Musicians Union 2pm OBT 3pm Charlie & Joseph 4 pm 4pm Carly Bain 5 pm 5pm book launch Carly Blain 6 pm VARIOUS TIMES SAT/SUN Matthew Hannafin 7 pm Fiddle Making 8 pm Cafe 9 pm 10 pm Session 11 pm Cafe 10pm - 1am Festival Club 11 pm - 1am 12 am Concert 7.30-10pm
SUN 20 Workshop Rm 1 10 am Fyne Fiddles Amy Geddes 10-11.30am Workshop Rm 2 Mixed Instrument Jenna & Mairi 10-11.30am Workshop Room 3 Advanced Sally Simpson 10-11.30am Basement Anatomy 11 am 11am film screening The Groove is not Trivial 12 pm Guitar Quinn Bachand 12-1.30pm Mandolin Josh Pinkham 12-1.30pm 1 pm Slow Session Basement 1-5pm 2 pm Tunes & Technique Jeremy Kittel 2-3.30pm DAGDAD Guitar Tom Oakes 2-3.30pm 2pm discussion Mark Borthwick 3 pm 3pm talk David Francis Techcube FESTIVAL HUB: Session & Stalls 10am - 5pm 1-2 Try Fiddle (courtyard gallery) Courtyard 11am - 12noon Try Gaelic 1pm book launch Amy Geddes Dissection SUNDAY AT A GLANCE 12noon RCS Junior Conserv 1pm Fika Collective 2pm Pete & Muriel 3pm Sally & Catriona 3-4 Try Gaelic (courtyard gallery) 4 pm 4pm Amy Geddes 5 pm 5pm Final Stramash 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm VARIOUS TIMES SAT/SUN Matthew Hannafin Concert 9 pm Fiddle Making Cafe 8-10.30pm 10 pm FESTIVAL FOOD DISCOUNTS Show your Festival ticket or performer s pass BEFORE ORDERING for a discount on your food bill at these supporting venues: Abbey Bar, 65 South Clerk St: 10% Edinburgh Coffee Cake, 18 South Clerk St: 10% Greenmantle, 133 Nicolson St: 30% Flip Healthy Fast Food, 54 Clerk St: 10% Greenmantle, 133 Nicolson St: 30% Tanjore South Indian, 6-8 Clerk Street: 10% The Wee Boulangerie, 67 Clerk St: 10% PLAY A TUNE FOR A FREE COFFEE! More info at: www.scotsfiddlefestival.com s bar and café will also be open over the weekend. 13
STEVE BURNETT SCOTTISH FIDDLE MAKER EDINBURGH 07812 855 103 steve@burnettviolins.co.uk
YOUTH WORKSHOPS (SUMMERHALL) Please book workshops in advance. Youth workshops can only be attended by those up to the age of 18. SATURDAY MORNING: 10-11.30 am YOUTH WORK SHOPS Beginner Fiddle : Sally Simpson Workshop Room 3 In this workshop, Sally will be teaching a simple fiddle tune by ear and looking at some technique tips no prior experience of learning by ear is required, but please note this workshop would be a little too tricky for complete beginners who have never played before at all. SUNDAY MORNING: 10-11.30 am Intermediate/advanced : Sally Simpson Workshop Room 3 In this workshop Sally will teach a few more challenging fiddle tunes by ear, looking at technique and arrangement tips for putting together a set of several tunes. All teaching will be done by ear, with copies of the music available from the end of the workshop. No prior experience of learning by ear required! www.sallysimpsonmusic.co.uk Sally by Louise Bichan The Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin was set up in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted to provide an opportunity for young people from across the city to come together and learn skills in traditional Scottish music. It takes place during the Easter holidays in Edinburgh. Up to 100 young people (P5 S6) take part in four days of workshops led by some of the country s finest traditional musicians. The event is supported by a team of volunteers and workshops range from fiddle and guitar to song and groupwork. The Youth Gaitherin is all about creativity and having fun. It gives young people the opportunity to socialise and become part of a wider music community. They learn about playing together, grow in confidence and often end up going on to other similar events and forming bands. The Easter Gaitherin 2018 will be held from the 2nd-5th of April and will feature several fiddle tutors including Innes Watson and Sally Simpson. For for more information, please visit The Hands Up for Trad website: https:// projects.handsupfortrad.scot/tradmusicschools/ 15
Edinburgh Highland Reel & Strathspey Society Musical Director Yla Steven BEM New members are very welcome. We meet on Monday evenings: juniors 6.30 7.30 pm and adults 7.30 9.30 pm. Forthcoming concerts: 24 November at St. Anne s Church, Corstorphine and 10 March at The Queen s Hall, Edinburgh. Contact ehrss.secretary@gmail.com for further information Find us on: facebook.com/ehrss @EHRSS ehrss.org.uk Scottish Charity registered number SCO06204 John Weitzen Lighting Services 07963 347672 john@jwlightingservices.co.uk www.jwlightingservices.co.uk SC032702
photo by Roddy Hand SATURDAY EVENTS (SUMMERHALL) Entrance with a Saturday Day Ticket or a Festival Saver 1 pm : If Only they Could Talk: Neil Gow and his Fiddles Talk by Pete Clark Anatomy Lecture Theatre During the course of his long life, Niel Gow owned and played several fiddles, including the one at Blair Castle and another in the possession of Perth Gaelic Society. Another instrument, allegedly by Gasparo da Salo, has recently resurfaced. Pete will be playing this instrument during his concert on Sunday, accompanied by the fabulous pianist Muriel Johnstone. Illustrated with music and pictures, Pete will give an insight into Gow s life and the fiddles which crossed his path. 2 pm : BIT Collective Discussion Anatomy Lecture Theatre The BIT Collective is a group of people interested in discussing issues around gender in music, particularly in folk and traditional music. At this event, Rachel Newton will lead a discussion around these issues and explore the topics that concern you, and the ways in which the collective can address them in the future. 3 pm : Introducing the Musician's Union Anatomy Lecture Theatre Calling all musicians! MU Official Louise Stanners Pow will host a session introducing the work of the union and explore challenges for musicians today. From rock bands to orchestras and from composers to instrumental teachers, the Musicians Union (MU) represents over 30,000 musicians across the UK. The union negotiates with all major employers in the industry, as well as offering services, benefits and advice tailored to your needs at every stage of your career. This event is ideal for those who are interested in learning more about the organisation. During this session Louise will touch on; getting paid and using contracts, MU campaigns and practical advice for working in the music industry. 5 pm : Carly Bain Book Launch Courtyard Gallery (free entry) Join Carly for the official launch of Carly Blain s Tunes. There are 32 compositions in the book for all levels, with stories and photos to go along with the melodies. Carly enjoys writing tunes for her teaching and uses different keys and different types of tunes including strathspeys, jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes and slow airs. She is delighted to be launching it at the Scots Fiddle Festival 2017. SPECIAL EVENTS SATURDAY Carly Blain s Tunes Volume:1 17
Are you looking for something to do during the Easter holidays in Edinburgh? Join around 100 young people and take part in four days of workshops led by some of the country s finest traditional musicians, including: Sarah Hayes, Sally Simpson and Innes Watson. The event is supported by a team of volunteers and workshops range from fiddle and whistle to song writing and group work. APril 2018 TynEcASTlE HigH ScHool Ages P6 - S6 cost 100 (Concessions and Bursaries available) Further information and booking details can be found here: www.tradmusicschool.scot Please email Laura Beth for further details at: eyg@handsupfortrad.co.uk
SUNDAY EVENTS (SUMMERHALL) Entrance with a Sunday Day Ticket or a Festival Saver 11 am - 12.30 pm : 'The Groove is Not Trivial' Film Screening Anatomy Lecture Theatre In this special documentary, master Scottish musician Alasdair Fraser follows his fiddle into unexpected territory and finds himself helping people around the world engage with their own musical traditions, cultures and, ultimately, themselves. Tommie Dell Smith, Producer/Director Kate Fritz, Associate Producer 1 pm : Amy Geddes Book Launch Courtyard Gallery (free entry) Amy Geddes and Donald Knox invite you to join them for the launch of Fyne Fiddles Volume 1, a collection of fiddle lessons using their own compositions and other traditional or contemporary pieces. Meet the musicians and get a signed copy for Christmas! Amy 2 pm : Mark Borthwick discussion Anatomy Lecture Theatre An interactive exploration of the mythic interconnection of story and environmental thought on these islands. Together we will dig deep into the soil of oral tradition, looking for fossils of ancient environmental knowledge which we can sharpen into tools for spiritual and societal transformation. Led by Mark Borthwick, a traditional storyteller from the Lake District who is researching environmental ethics at the University of Edinburgh. 3 pm : David Francis Talk : Dance Callers in Scotland Anatomy Lecture Theatre David Francis is director of the Traditional Music Forum and producer, with Simon Thoumire, of Distil, the composers project. He is also a musician, songwriter, and dance caller. Working with Mairi Campbell as The Cast, they have recorded five albums of traditional music and their own material. 5 pm : Final Stramash Dissection Room Your chance to play with our performers in one of the largest sessions in the UK! Mark Filming on the isle of Skye SPECIAL EVENTS SUNDAY David 19
Studio Recording Mixing and Mastering Live Sound PA Hire 9 Ferry Road Leith Edinburgh EH6 4AD 0131 553 8952 info@soniclodge.co.uk www.soniclodge.co.uk 2018 ABERDEEN 11-15 July THE SONIC LODGE Munro Audio Over 35 years experience North Atlantic Fiddle Convention A celebration of fiddle and dance traditions from around the North Atlantic concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, busking trails, sessions, talks and more Moray Munro, Sound Engineer 07765 164798 www.abdn.ac.uk/nafco nafco@abdn.ac.uk
is the place to network, relax, listen, and browse. There is a café and pub/restaurant open during the day, and stalls will be in the Festival Hub (TechCube) for you to look and shop for instruments, music, jewellery, and much more. SATURDAY AT SUMMERHALL Daytime : Stalls (Techcube) The perfect place to treat yourself, your fiddle or someone else to an early Christmas present! See below for a list of stalls. 10am - 5pm : Session (Techcube) Tunes! Come and play with other musicians at the festival. We ll give you a place to play to your heart s content. 11am - 12pm : Come & Try Fiddle : Isla Ferguson (Courtyard Gallery) Pick up the fiddle for the first time and try some simple techniques and notes. Isla has a lot of experience and patience helping new students to begin their journey on the fiddle and enjoys making the instrument accessible to all. 1pm - 5pm : Slow Session (Basement) Free with a day ticket / Supersaver. A hugely popular feature of our festival, these sessions, led by experienced tutors from the Glasgow Folk-music Workshop, are for you if you love to play, feel the formal workshops might be too hard for you, and that the people in the regular sessions just go too fast! SUNDAY AT SUMMERHALL Daytime : Stalls (Techcube) (see Saturday) 10am - 5pm : Session - More tunes! (see Saturday) 11am - 12pm : Come & Try Gaelic : Eilidh Munro (Courtyard Gallery) This workshop is open to anyone who would like to have a taste of Gaelic. The class will take an interactive and conversational approach. You will learn a few phrases, play some games and get some tips to help with pronunciation. 1pm - 5pm : Slow Session (Basement) More tunes! (see Saturday) Live Fiddle Making : Matthew Hannafin ( Café - various times - non-ticketed) A chance to see fiddle making in action - carving scrolls, carving the outside and inside of the belly and backs of instruments, shaping necks and fitting necks to bodies. Mathew Hannafin will be at and will provide some fiddles for you to try out. He is a member of the British Violin Makers Association and uses traditional materials, tools and methods to make new violins based on Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri models. FREE EVENTS Eilidh STALLS Many thanks to the tutors for their help with the slow sessions! Steve Burnett Glasgow Violin Shop Stringers The Hardie Press Box and Fiddle Marie Fielding Thornton Caldwell (Celt Guitars) Shirley Gatt (Cloudberry) Small Strings SFO Matthew 21
The Violin Shop We know fiddles inside & out Large selection of new and old violins, violas, cellos, double basses, bows, cases & accessories Instrument & bow repairs carried out by experienced staff in our workshops Realistic prices offered for your old instrument Advice readily given on valuations, insurance etc. tel: 0141 339 8078 www.theviolinshop-glasgow.co.uk 7/11 Blackie Street, Glasgow G3 8TN 22
Traditional Music Graded Exams The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers Traditional Music Graded Exams for young people and adults in accordion, fiddle and harp, from grades 1-5. By successfully passing these exams, you will have your knowledge, understanding and creativity recognised. Exam books Taigh na Teud works exclusively with RCS, publishing exam repertoire for accordion, fiddle and harp for grades 1-5. To purchase your books, please visit www.scotlandsmusic.com For more information about Traditional Music Graded Exams and to book, please visit rcs.ac.uk/tmge or call the team on 0141 270 8271. rcs.ac.uk/tmge Traditional Music 23
Ticket Cost Access to... evening weekend saver 55/ 45 saves 12 / 10 All three evening CONCERTS, plus FESTIVAL CLUBS TICKETS & BOOKING festival saver Under 12s free with adult Day Ticket Under 12s free with adult 80/ 63 saves 14/ 12 All three evening CONCERTS, plus RECITALS, SPECIAL EVENTS & FESTIVAL CLUBS 15 / 10 RECITALS & SPECIAL EVENTS - either Saturday or Sunday Workshops to be purchased in addition Fri / Sat evening Concert 18 / 15 Friday or Saturday evening concert Queen s Hall Sunday evening Concert 15 / 10 Sunday evening concert (standing) Ceilidh 9 / 7 Friday evening s ceilidh Festival Club 5 Festival Club - either Friday or Saturday Workshop (Adult) 10 / 8 U18 Individual workshop Also requires an appropriate Day Ticket / Festival Saver Workshop (youth) 8 Individual workshop (U18 only) Parents can wait in the Festival Hub which has free access Festival hub, book launches, late night summer hall sessions FREE Book at the Queen's Hall Box Office: By phone: 0131 668 2019 (until 5pm, except on concert evenings when phone lines close one hour before the show.) Online: www.thequeenshall.net In person: 85-89 Clerk Street Edinburgh EH8 9JG Mon Sat 10am - 5.30pm Concessions are provided for unwaged people (unemployed/ student/oap/under 18s). Accompanied children under 12 are entitled to a free day ticket or Festival Saver. Stramash by Ludovic Farine 25
Scots Fiddle Festival @Scotsfiddlefest info@scotsfiddlefestival.com www.scotsfiddlefestival.com 0131 555 7669 JEREMY KITTEL TRIO - PATSY REID GRAHAM MACKENZIE - SNUFFBOX - DALLAHAN JENNA MOYNIHAN & MAIRI CHAIMBEUL GROUSE CEILIDH BAND