CELTIC CONNECTIONS –IT’S AN EDUCATION
Written by Archie Fergusson on 21/01/2017
This year Free workshops will take place in 45 nurseries, primary schools and ASN schools throughout Glasgow with Pupils having a hands on opportunities to try out traditional Celtic instruments such as the fiddle, clarsach and whistle, and learn about and take part in song, storytelling and stepdance. Leading local Celtic artists such as Rachel Hair, Joy Dunlop, Celine Donoghue, Mairi Gilfedder, Adam Brown and Rachel Lightbody will be on hand to give pupils advice and tuition.
Celtic Connections 2017 education programme will present five free morning concerts for schools in the Main Auditorium of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall by bands including Nashville-based Americana stars Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, Brazilian flute virtuoso Carlos Malta, Scots Trad Awards winner Siobhan Miller and Canadian Trio Vishtèn, up to 9,000 children will attend these concerts for many of them a first time experience
For those not involved in the Celtic Connections educational programme there is the highly praised Come and Try, Beginners and Improvers Workshop Programme at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall suitable in the main for adults and children over 12 for which there is a small charge.
A great opportunity to take part in one of more than 60 public workshops offering chances to learn about Scottish traditional music and culture which are open to all ages and abilities.
Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader, Glasgow City Council said: “The Education Programme is a vital part of every Celtic Connections, when leading musicians from Glasgow and those who travel to the city for the festival perform for and share their skills and knowledge with thousands of school pupils each year. This creates fantastic opportunities to learn about our country’s traditional music – and how music is a common language shared throughout the world that brings countries and cultures together.
“The Education Programme also helps ensure that traditional music continues to be a vibrant, growing part of our cultural landscape by introducing and encouraging the next generation of musicians and audiences to instruments and songs that have enriched the lives of generations before them, and will continue to do so for many years to come.”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music, Creative Scotland, has said: “When I was learning fiddle as a primary school pupil all those years ago, I would have leapt at the chance to take part in something as brilliantly inspiring as Celtic Connections’ Education Programme. There is no better way to nurture the musicians and audiences of the future than to give them an up close and personal experience of the best Scottish and international artists that the festival has to offer. For all we know, someone sitting in the classroom today might well be a folk star of tomorrow.”
The Celtic Connections education Programmew is supported directly by membership fees from the festival’s Celtic Rover patron’s scheme – which gives discounted rates on bookings and exclusive experiences during Celtic Connections 2017.
For more on the Celtic Rover scheme www.celticconnections.com/Pages/Celtic-Rover.aspx
To find out more visit: www.celticconnections.com
