Thursday 5th February 2015
There’s a lot of class and workshop activity this February as fèisean develop their ongoing events to meet the needs of young musicians and singers in their communities.
First up on Saturday 7th February in Mackay Country is Fèis air an Oir with its monthly music day offering young people aged 8 to 18 tuition in chanter, fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, guitar, Gaelic song and drums. The classes run from 10am to 1pm in Melvich Primary School – for more information please contact Rachel Harris on 01463 225559 or rachel@feisean.org.
On the same day in Inverness (Saturday 7th February) Fèis na h-Òige are running music taster workshops for children aged 8 to 18 in accordion and clarsach. These are Gaelic medium workshops and take place in Inverness Gaelic Primary School from 2 til 4pm. A Fèis Bheag or ‘Wee Fèis’ will also run, offering children aged 5 to 7 the chance to join the fun with singing, art and games sessions. These workshops have proved so popular that the fèis is now running a second accordion class – for more information or to book a place please contact Isla O’ Reilly on islaoreilly@yahoo.co.uk or 07904 255 726.
Next on Friday 27th and Saturday 27th February Fèis an Rubha in Lewis are delighted to announce a brand new event for S1-6 pupils taking place in Sgoil an Rubha. This event offers young musicians and singers of secondary school age the opportunity to work on their singing and groupwork skills with guidance from Màiri Macleod and Norrie MacIver. For more information and booking please contact Shona MacMillan on 07584 053 289 or shona@feisean.org.
Meanwhile on Saturday 28th February Fèis Ghallaibh returns with its monthly music workshops offering tuition in a wide range of subjects including fiddle, accordion, tin whistle, clàrsach and Gaelic song. Classes take place in Thurso High School and any young person aged between 8 and 18 is welcome to take part – for more information please contact Kathryn Cartwright, pkrri@btinternet.com. You can also find Fèis Ghallaibh on Facebook.
Over the weekend of Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March Fèis Spè has three different sets of workshops in store, all taking place in Aviemore Community Centre. Firstly on Saturday 28th a Fèis Bheag will offer art, games and song sessions for children in P1-3. At the same time a Junior Fèis day will offer music workshops for children in P4-7 in percussion, fiddle and guitar. Next on Sunday 1st March Fèis Spè is delighted to announce a new Gaelic Song workshop day open to pupils from p5 – S6. Fiona Mackenzie from Gaelic group Cruinn will lead the session. All are welcome to this relaxed workshop with no experience of either Gaelic language or singing necessary. For more information on any of these activities please visit Fèis Spè’s website at www.feisspe.org.uk or the Fèis Spè Facebook page. Alternatively you can contact Caroline Sterritt, Fèis Spè Development Officer, on 07989 907 213 or caroline.sterritt@feisean.org.
Over the same weekend in Golspie Fèis Chataibh returns with its annual two day groupwork fèis in Goslpie High School. Tutors this year include Gordon Gunn, Charlie McKerron and Marc Clement. In a new development and following on from the success of a workshop day in November Fèis Chataibh is also running a Junior Fèis day on Saturday 28th February. This will offer tuition in a range of instruments: fiddle, accordion, chanter, clàrsach, keyboard, guitar and Gaelic song. Classes cater for all abilities and an additional tin whistle for beginners workshop is also on offer. More information and booking forms are available here or contact Debbie Celli, Fèis Chataibh treasurer, on 07731 761 982 or debbiecelli@yahoo.co.uk. You can also find Fèis Chataibh on Facebook.
February is a busy time for fèisean across the country – have a look at our fèis map to see what’s happening near you, or follow Fèisean nan Gàidheal on Twitter or Facebook to keep up with the latest news.
