Issued: 28 Aug 2008
The first Ullapool Fiddle day will take place on Thursday 4th September in the MacPhail Theatre, Ullapool High School and around fifty pupils from Badenoch, Strathspey, Ross-shire and Sutherland are expected to take part.
Workshops led by the renowned Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid will be running all day. Jenna plays with several of Scotland's top traditional bands, including Dochas, Filska and Deaf Shepherd. She is also in great demand as a solo artist and it is thanks to some of The Highland Council's strings Instructors that she has agreed to lead this exciting day for Highland school pupils.
The workshops will offer younger fiddlers, most of whom receive lessons through The Highland Council's Instrumental Tuition Service, the opportunity to be inspired by one of our leading fiddlers who will also be able to share her experiences and knowledge with the participants.
The Highland Council's Music Development officer, Norman Bolton said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the development of fiddle and general strings tuition in our schools. The pupils involved will not only benefit from the musical aspects of the day, but also from the opportunity to meet and play with peers from other parts of Highland. I am grateful to the strings Instructors involved for suggesting yet another innovative, inspiring and attainable opportunity for their pupils, keeping Highland at the forefront of music tuition.
"The opportunities available to pupils in this area are many and varied, despite the geographical difficulties we have to overcome. This is testament to the hard work of all those involved in music education in our schools."