Fèisean nan Gàidheal

25 Nov 2024 Partner News Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Embracing tradition and innovation at FnG

Fèisean across the country are getting on with the business of running events including regular classes and weekend experiences. Fèis Thatha (Tayside) resumed in Aberfeldy on the 16th and 17th of November. The Fèis facilitated 2 days of traditional music from beginner level onwards, in P4 to S6 and the participants had the opportunity to learn their instrument/activity of choice including accordion, fiddle, guitar, percussion, step dance, clàrsach, whistle, group work, shinty and Gaelic singing.

Fèisgoil is delivering the usual variety of music-based projects including YMI in Highland, Seinn (Gaelic song provision in Uist & Barra) and has recently completed its work on Acadamaidh a’ Mhòid (Mod Academy) for schools in Argyll & Bute where young people participated in the local and national Mòd. Work is just beginning with An Comunn Gàidhealach and The Highland Council on next year’s provision which this time round will include Lochaber schools in preparation for Mòd Lochabair which takes place in October 2025.

YMI sessions are well underway in Highland primaries where we are attempting to teach as many children as possible the Gaelic waulking-song Am Bratach Bana in order to encourage shared repertoire among the next generation.

Seinn, our Gaelic song provision in Uist and Barra primary schools, has had a slower start with recruitment ongoing. Linda Macleod, Gaelic singer from Uist now living in Glasgow will visit the schools for a one-off deep dive into local songs and Trail West frontman, Seonaidh Macintyre will also visit the schools for one-off informal concerts in Gaelic, sharing and teaching choruses of the band’s best loved Gaelic hits and then engaging with the children in Q&A sessions about life on the road as a touring and recording artist.

Panto shenanigans recently got underway with rehearsals beginning Monday 18th November. The drama department always makes good use of music, not least during Panto season, and this year we have the musical talents of Fergus Munro and Ava Mackinnon to celebrate and showcase while also encouraging youngsters to catch simple Gaelic choruses. Fergus and Ava are joined by Magaidh Ross as they tour ‘Seocan agus am bogsa-ciùil’ (Jack and the Accordion (loosely based on Jack and the Beanstalk)) throughout 15 local authority areas where children are being taught through Gaelic.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to be part of a new EU funded project with partners from across Europe. With a budget of nearly €4 million, the project will run for the next 36 months and aims to empower artists, technologists, and communities by driving innovation in the Cultural and Creative Industries.

AMPLIFY’s mission is to develop two groundbreaking tools, powered by Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality technologies, that will unite communities through music, transcending geographical boundaries and fostering collaboration in creative spaces.

The first tool, Amplify Portable, will allow musicians to play, learn and perform music together from anywhere, making collaborative music creations accessible to all.

The second tool, Amplify Immersive, will enable artists to create and share live, interactive experiences with remote audiences, opening new opportunities for engaging performances.

AMPLIFY also aims to foster social connection in the cultural sector, in particular among marginalised communities, using ethical, human-centric technologies. The project will establish a methodological and ethical framework to guide the development of its tools and ensure that technology enhances creativity while promoting inclusivity.

AMPLIFY’s 10-year vision is to revolutionise the way culture and creativity are experienced, bringing people together through music and creating new, sustainable opportunities for artists and audiences alike.

25 Sep 2023 MEPG News Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Updates from Fèisean nan Gàidheal

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An t-Sultain aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal : September at Fèisean nan Gàidheal

In addition to regular Fèisean activity throughout the country, the Fèisean nan Gàidheal team has been busy with several September special events, in particular the Blas Festival, bringing traditional music and Gaelic song into primarily rural Highland communities. Blas ran for nine days at the start of the month and delivered over 25 concerts and cèilidhs, three online workshops, four livestreamed concerts as well as music performances and drama workshops in schools.

The opening concert, which took place in the Highland capital’s beautiful cathedral, centred attention on young artists, both local and international. Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta are noted for their sean nós singing (unaccompanied traditional Irish vocal performance in the Irish language) and their unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. They take a particular interest in vocal arrangement as well as playing a multitude of instruments including Irish harp and fiddle. The weather was kind as they toured the Highlands, showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful locations and village halls to the visiting musicians. Séamus and Caoimhe said of the Festival:

“Bhain muid an oiread sult as ár gcuid ama ag taisteal ar fud ardchríocha na hAlbaine mar chuid d’Fhéile Blas 2023. Ba mhór an phléisiúir dúinn an stáitse a roinnt le ceoltóirí agus fonnadóirí den chéad scoth agus an deis a fháil an chéad glúin eile a spreagadh sna mbunscoileanna áitiúla. Tá muid ag súil go mór filleadh ar ais ar an áit álainn seo arís gan mhoill. Ár mbuíochas le coiste Fhéile Blas! “

“We had the most enjoyable week travelling around the Scottish Highlands earlier this month as part of Blas Festival 2023. What a privilege it was to share the stage with the finest of musicians and singers in gorgeous locations. We really enjoyed getting to perform for some of the local primary schools and inspire the next generation of musicians and singers, as well as taking inspiration from some very talented youngsters. We are already looking forward to making our way back very soon. ‘Móran taing’ to all at Blas Festival for an amazing week!”

The festival closed with a performance in Fort William that included over 50 young musicians gathered together from Fèisean throughout the country for a special showcase concert.

Both these events, along with some other workshops and concerts from the festival, can still be viewed online through FèisTV

The Fuaran project has now been running for several years and aims to engage young Gaelic singers with tradition bearers and researchers. This year 6 participants gathered at the end of August in the village of Cromarty on the Black Isle to take part in Gaelic song workshops with 2023 project mentor Deirdre Graham and record songs they had been collecting and researching with support from freelance broadcaster and researcher, Jo Macdonald over the previous months.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s formal education service has been running three music projects in schools over the month – YMI is on course once more, with musicians delivering traditional music sessions to all 170+ primary schools in Highland in partnership with High Life Highland and local area Fèisean, Seinn a Gaelic song based project in Uist and Barra primary schools and Mod Academy in support of children in Renfrewshire preparing them for Mod competition and enhancing the experience of Gaelic song in the area.

You can read more about Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s work on the website here

30 Jan 2023 Partner News Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Updates from Fèisean nan Gàidheal

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Tha a’ mhòr-chiud de na Fèisean ionadail air tilleadh gu suidheachadh àbhaisteach a-rithist. Eadar na tachartasan aca-san agus an obair a bhios an t-seirbheis foghlaim foirmeil aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Fèisgoil, a lìbhrigeadh tha pailteas de chothroman ciùil ri fhaotainn a rithist, freagarrach don òigridh gu h-àraidh le ùidh ann an ceòl traidiseanta.

Most local Fèisean are now back and between these activities and the work being carried out by Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s formal education service, Fèisgoil, there are once again plenty of Fèis-related opportunities, especially for young people interested in traditional music.

There are 47 Fèisean and here is a snapshot of what some of them have been up to recently or are about to deliver:

Fèis Dhùn Èideann (Edinburgh)

Fèis Dhùn Èideann is holding a Fèis on the 11th of February for teenagers and on the 13th and 14th of February for children in Primary School. If you would like more information or to reserve a space please email Gillian at feisdhunideann@feisean.org

Fèis Farr 2023 (Farr, Inverness-shire)

Fèis Farr will be holding a Fèis in the local community hall on the 25th and 26th of February for primary-aged children and those in S1-2. The participants will have lessons on the accordion, groupwork, step dance, whistle, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and Gaelic song and there will be a Wee Fèis as well for younger children. You can find more information on the Fèis Farr Facebook page.

Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich (Isle of Lewis)

Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich has been leading development projects with Lewis teenagers to guide them in the skills necessary for working as live and as studio musicians.

Since early 2022, they’ve been working with local musicians to develop their skills in group work and performance. This continues with workshops in studio and live production along with TradAwards Studio Engineer of the year, Keith Morrison in Wee Studio and at an Lanntair. They also have some live opportunities coming up, as they continue to develop their musical skills.

Fèis Tìr an Eòrna (North Uist)

Fèis Tìr an Eòrna has been a prominent part of the Taigh Chearsabhaigh exhibition on the musical heritage of North Uist. Working with other island bodies such as the gallery itself, and the local history society, they’ve researched and performed Gaelic songs from the island at live and digital cèilidhs.

Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain (South Uist)

South Uist has been described as the ‘Brazil of piping’ by no less than piping luminary Fred Morrison, and Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain has been exploring this piping heritage. A group of local pipers and tradition bearers has been established to work with the Fèis on weekly classes, and it’s planned to explore this further.

Fèis Bharraigh (Barra)

Fèis Bharraigh was the first Fèis (1981), and as they prepare for their covid-delayed 40th anniversary it’s with a resurgence of interest among island youngsters. Classes in piping, accordion and fiddle have regularly been oversubscribed and additional classes started as a result. They too are researching the island piping heritage, and have tradition bearers involved in weekly classes.

Fuaran 2023 (Gaelic song – research and performance opportunity for young adults)

Applications are now closed for the 2023 series of the Fuaran project. Fuaran, meaning a spring or well, was established in order to encourage the next generation of Gaelic singers to research songs of their own communities or those from areas to which they had a connection. Participants are also encouraged to delve into the wonderful and varied archives available before being given the opportunity to record these songs themselves. For more information: www.feisean.org/fuaran

Fèisgoil (FnG’s formal education service)

YMI Highland

YMI sessions, in collaboration with Highlife Highland and local Fèisean, Fèis an Earraich, Fèis Chataibh, Fèis Inbhir Narainn, Fèis Lochabair, Fèis Rois and Fèis Spè are well underway with all areas due to complete delivery by the end of this school term. Most areas adopted the approach of an online cèilidh to introduce tutors and the project to the classes and followed this up with face-to-face sessions.

Seinn

In collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, our Fèisgoil service delivers Gaelic singing sessions to all pupils in Uist and Barra. This term our tutors are concentrating on songs connected to the mass emigrations of islanders one hundred years ago.

Treòir Voar Virr Òrain air chall

Following on from the ambitious multi-arts inter-island project last year, a smaller scale Treòir Voar Virr project, this time with Òrain air Chall (Lost Songs) as its topic is underway in all six local authorities where island schools are situated.
Research carried out by local song specialists has resulted in a resource of over 50 songs deemed fragile within their own communities.

These songs are being reintroduced to schoolchildren through the project and links to lyrics, translations, archival recordings as well as some brand new recordings will be available through the Fèisean nan Gàidheal website once the project has completed.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is very grateful to The Scottish Government for specific funding of the project as well as to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for collaboration through its Dìleab – Eilthireachd project marking 100 years since the sailing of the Marloch and the Metagama, and the devastating effect this had on the population of the islands, with over 300 Lewis folk – all except two – young men with an average age of 22 sailing for a new life in Canada.

3 May 2022 Partner News Children & Young People, Events, Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Fèisean across the country returns!

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Fèisean across the country made a welcome return to in-person activities during the Easter holidays after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. A number of week-long tuition events, workshop days and concerts were held during the school break, welcoming hundreds of excited young people to learn traditional music, Gaelic song, drama and art from highly skilled tutors, all of which were organised by volunteer-led committees.

During the pandemic Fèisean embraced technology and continued to deliver vast programmes of tuition with regular online lessons and workshops, keeping participants engaged and providing employment opportunities for tutors who lost other sources of income. This has been a positive step for Fèisean, with many additional skills gained by committees and tutors and the young people who were able to access these opportunities.

With restrictions being eased, the opportunity for Fèisean to return to face-to-face activities is very much welcomed by committees, tutors and participants alike.

In the run-up to these in-person Easter fèisean, Development Manager at Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Calum Alex MacMillan said:

“Fèisean nan Gàidheal is delighted to be supporting Fèisean as they make a return to in-person events over the Easter holidays. Covid has caused so many events and activities to be cancelled and postponed, with our young people missing out on so much. Although the focus of the Fèisean is tuition in the traditional Gaelic arts, they provide much more than that, giving young people and their communities, opportunities to come together and learn, socialise, develop skills and knowledge of their local culture as well as supporting the local economy. It is fantastic to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the Fèis committees and we wish them every success with their upcoming events”.

The following events took place over the Easter break:

2^nd April

Fèis Phaislig Easter Concert – Paisley

4 & 5th April

Fèis Obar Dheathain – Aberdeen

4^th – 8th April

Fèis an Earraich – Skye & Lochalsh

Fèis Latharna – Oban

Fèis Rois Oigridh – Ross-shire

8th April

Fèis a’ Bhaile Easter Fèis Day – Inverness

8th & 9th April

Luach – Lewis & Harris

11th – 15th April

Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh – Isle of Lewis

Chaidh Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh a chumail eadar 11 – 15 Giblean 2022 ann an Nis ann an Eilean Leòdhais. Bha com-pàirtichean eadar aois 4 – 18 an lathair agus chòrd e ris a h-uile duine a bhith air ais còmhla aghaidh ri aghaidh. Bha tòrr spòrs a’ dol!

Fèis Taigh Dhonnchaidh took place between 11-15th April 2022 in Ness in the Isle of Lewis. It was very well attended by participants aged 4-18 and everyone was delighted to be back together face to face again.

Fèisgoil activities continue with almost all provision now happening face-to-face in school classrooms as well as continuing to embrace outdoor learning where appropriate.

For more information on Fèisean nan Gàidheal events visit www.feisean.org or find us on facebook.com/feisean