Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few of the questions that are often put to Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and to local Fèisean. If you cannot find what you are looking for below, please contact us at fios@feisean.org
There is no Fèis in my area – why not?
Who is involved in tuition at Fèisean and how are they selected?
Who is responsible for supervision at fèisean involving overnight stays?
What child protection measures do fèisean have in place?
Do fèisean offer provision for children with special educational needs?
Can residential fèisean cater for children with special dietary requirements or health issues?
My child is a mature 7 year-old, but the fèis caters for 8-18. Can he/she attend?
How can I help my child develop and further his/her skills after a fèis?
Is Gaelic-medium tuition available at all Fèisean for fluent-speaking children?
Does it matter if a participant is not a Gaelic speaker?
Will all participants receive Gaelic tuition?
Does it matter if a participant cannot read music?
At what stage is it worth purchasing an instrument for a participant?
Where can I buy harp-strings etc for rented instruments?
Where can I find printed resources?
Will fèisean teach children about instrument care?
Can fèisean offer aid to low-income families with registration fees?
Why is there such varation in the fees charged by fèisean in different parts of the country?
I am interested in tutoring at Fèisean. How do I go about this?
There is no Fèis in my area – why not?
Fèisean are community initiatives, and as such exist through demand and volunteer effort. Fèisean nan Gaidheal offers a support function to these local volunteers. Fèisean nan Gaidheal itself does not establish fèisean. Any group wishing to strart a fèis in their own area should contact Fèisean nan Gaidheal in Portree for advice and support.
Who is involved in tuition at Fèisean and how are they selected?
The tutor-base of the fèisean draws on individuals from a wide-range of backgrounds: full-time professional musicians, actors and artists; music, drama and art students; keen amateurs; full-time formal education teachers; international shinty players, and many, many more! These diverse individuals are connected by commitment to the Fèis movement, and to traditional Gaelic arts for young people. Each individual fèis selects its own tutors, based on proven track records in teaching, understanding of Gaelic tradition and language skills.
Who is responsible for supervision at fèisean involving overnight stays?
In addition to volunteers and tutors, residential fèisean employ Supervisors to take charge of participants outside class hours. Supervisors are subject to checking by Disclosure Scotland. Many Supervisors are themselves musicians and can offer participants support in consolidating their learning.
What child protection measures do fèisean have in place?
Fèisean nan Gaidheal has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy, which has been adopted by all member fèisean. Under this policy, all tutors, staff and volunteers are subject to checking by Disclosure Scotland. Each fèis has a Child Protection Officer responsible for the correct implementation of the policy, and at all fèisean tutors are issued with a summary of the policy before classes begin. A copy of the full policy may be requested from fios@fèisean.org
Do fèisean offer provision for children with special educational needs?
Fèisean nan Gaidheal's Annual Conference 2003 highlighted the issue of Special Educational Needs, and the organisation is currently engaged in consultation with practitioners with the aim of drafting policy for the fèisean. At present, it is advised that the parents/guardians of potential participants with special educational needs contact local fèisean directly to discuss any special requirements. Fèisean may seek advice and support from Fèisean nan Gaidheal to help meet these and to ensure that the benefits of the fèis experience are available to all.
Can residential fèisean cater for children with special dietary requirements or health issues?
All fèisean ask for information regarding dietary requirements and health issues of which they should be aware during the application process. It is imperative that parent/guardians offer this information, and contact fèisean to discuss issues of concern in advance.
My child is a mature 7 year-old, but the fèis caters for 8-18. Can he/she attend?
This issue is at the discretion of individual fèisean, and you should contact them directly. In the case of a late-falling birthday where classmates are able to attend, some fèisean will make an exception. Do be aware that not all instruments are suitable for very small children (e.g. chanter), and do consider whether or not a child is emotionally mature enough to cope with the demands of a fèis day.
Alternatively, some fèisean offer shorter sessions during the day for younger children.
How can I help my child develop and further his/her skills after a fèis?
Many fèisean offer year-round follow-on classes in a range of instruments/disciplines, and registering for one or more of these will allow a participant to continue to learn. He or she will also need to set aside time to practice several times each week, and parents/guardians can help to encourage participants to maintain this routine. Offering exposure to traditional music on radio or other recordings will aid participants in learning new tunes and developing their 'ear' for traditional music.
If your fèis does not offer follow-on classes, consider approaching them with a request, especially if you can identify others who would also use the service. Alternatively, see the external links page of this site for individual tutors' contact details.
Is Gaelic-medium tuition available at all Fèisean for fluent-speaking children?
At present there are five Gaelic-medium fèisean, where tuition is entirely through the medium of Gaelic – Fèis Innis an Uillt (Bishopbriggs), Fèis Tir a' Murain (South Uist), Fèis Lannraig a-Tuath (Condorrat), Fèis a' Bhaile (Inverness) and Fèis Oigridh Ghlaschu (Glasgow Drama Fèis). All other fèisean are required to provide a Gaelic program reflecting the community in which the fèis is situate; i.e. in communities with Gaelic-medium schools and units fèisean will provide tuition through the medium of Gaelic in a range of subjects. Please contact your local fèis to discuss requirements.
Does it matter if a participant is not a Gaelic speaker?
No! Thirty-two fèisean throughout the country cater for learners of any level, from total beginners to fluent speakers. The five Gaelic-medium fèisean are Fèis Tir a' Mhurain (South Uist), Fèis Lannraig a-Tuath (Condorrat), Fèis a' Bhaile ( Inverness ), Fèis Innis an Uillt (Bishopbriggs) and Fèis Oigridh Ghlaschu (Glasgow Drama Fèis). In all cases, however, there is alternative provision for non-Gaelic speakers available in the same area, or nearby.
Will all participants receive Gaelic tuition?
All subjects taught at fèisean are elements of Gaelic tradition. A knowledge of Gaelic will help children develop their traditional music skills and allow them to access a wide repertoire of tunes, styles of playing, stories and other cultural material. Furthermore, an introduction to Gaelic offers participants an enhanced understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions of Scotland , and educationally-valuable experience of second-language learning in context.
Does it matter if a participant cannot read music?
While the ability to read music is a very useful skill, many tutors will teach participants, and especially beginners, by ear, and so no prior knowledge of staff-notation is necessary. If participants continue with their instruments, reading music will be one of the skills they learn.
Where can I rent instruments?
Most fèisean have instruments for hire at very reasonable rates. Contact your local fèis in the first instance.
Other organisations offering instruments for hire include:
At what stage is it worth purchasing an instrument for a participant?
The purchase of most musical instruments requires a not-inconsiderable investment, and so you should gauge whether or not a participant seriously intends to continue playing before considering purchase. Bear in mind especially that interests may change substantially between primary and secondary school. A tutor may be able to advise on whether or not a participant is ready for his/her own instrument, and whether he/she is seriously committed to playing.
Consider purchase of second-hand instruments (with advice only), and hire-purchase deals through makers.
Where can I buy harp-strings etc for rented instruments?
Most of your needs will be met by local music shops, where you can buy, or order, rosin, fiddle-strings, chanter and pipe reeds, hemp, cleaning cloths, carry-cases, etc. For more specialist items, such as harp-strings or keys, ask for advice and recommendations from your fèis/instrument tutor.
Where can I find printed resources?
Fèisean nan Gaidheal has published two printed resource-books, Ceol nam Fèis and Ceol nam Fèis 2. These are available to purchase through the 'shop' button on the left.
Many music shops carry a wide-range of traditional music books and tutor-books. If a participant is at beginner/intermediate level, seek advice from tutors before purchasing additional music; remember that, at this stage, the material they have been given may well be adqeuate, and they should concentrate on practicing it.
Will fèisean teach children about instrument care?
Instrument care will usually form part of tuition; however, some tutors may prefer to replace harp-strings etc themselves, especially in the case of rented instruments/younger participants. If you have any questions, ask the tutor; you could send a note with the participant asking any questions you have.
Remember that, before an instrument is purchased, participants should understand that it will require care and maintenance, and that this should be their own responsibility.
Can fèisean offer aid to low-income families with registration fees?
In most instances, this issue should be raised with individual fèisean.
Why is there such varation in the fees charged by fèisean in different parts of the country?
The issues and costs faced by Fèisean are largely dependent on local factors, such as local authority support, accommodation costs for tutors, travel costs etc. Pricing reflects these different factors. In all cases, however, Fèisean offer exceptional value for money.
How can I get involved?
Fèisean are run by volunteer committees, and are always glad to receive offers of help. Contact your local fèis for details. You should be aware that any individual involved in the work of the fèisean and Fèisean nan Gaidheal is subject to checking by Disclosure Scotland. This, however, involves no financial cost to yourself.
I would like to make a donation to Fèisean nan Gàidheal/bequeath FnG $5,000,000 in my will. How do I go about this?
Contact Arthur Cormack, Director, under 'contacts' opposite. Fèisean nan Gaidheal is a registered charity, and all donations received are invested in the development of the fèis movement. Donations from tax-paying individuals qualify for Gift Aid.
I am interested in tutoring at Fèisean. How do I go about this?
Contact Iona MacDonald, Training Development Officer, under 'contacts' opposite. You should be aware that you will be required to complete a Disclosure check before beginning employment with any fèisean.
