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New residencies to help nuture young traditional music talent in Badenoch and Strathspey


By Gavin Musgrove

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Some of the young Feis Spe talent in the strath from 2018/19.
Some of the young Feis Spe talent in the strath from 2018/19.

Fèis Spè organisers have announce new traditional music residencies with the hope of reaching more young talent in Badenoch and Strathspey.

Funded by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative and other partners, it will enable Fèis Spè to employ a musician for a six-month period who will offer a range of tuition opportunities.

It is part of the Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s ‘Treòir’ project with Treòir, meaning “Guide, direction and energy” in Gaelic.

During the six-month period, the successful individual will also have the chance to develop their own skills and mentor an emerging local tutor.

Fèis Spè chairwoman Elspeth Blackshaw said: “The population of Badenoch and Strathspey is concentrated in villages strung along the River Spey.

"As Aviemore is at the centre of the area many activities including all of our classes take place there with the result that often, children who live at either end of the strath are not able to access them.

"Public transport is very limited and in an area of low wages, there is often only one car for a family and this may be needed for work so many families have no way of getting to and from events.

"We are hopeful that our Treòir residencies will enable us to reach children throughout the strath, giving them easier access to traditional music tuition."

Established in 1990, Fèis Spè offers a year-round programme of traditional music tuition.

One of the highlights of the calender is the main Fèis which offers a full week of traditional music and Gaelic activities during the first week of the October break usually in Aviemore.

This event is attended by up to 90 children aged five to 16.

A very popular and important part of that week is Fèis Bheag for P1 -P3 children where five to seven-year-olds are introduced to traditional music and Gaelic with games and song, and they have an opportunity to hear and see different traditional instruments.

The Fèis also offers weekly classes throughout the school year in fiddle, guitar and clarsach as well as group playing opportunities for school pupils aged eight and over in the strath.

A Fèis Spè spokeswoman said: "Before the Covid pandemic began classes were held in Aviemore but over the past year, with thanks to highly skilled and very adaptable tutors, they have continued online over the last year."

She added: "In addition to the musician in residence post the programme will also offer a person under 25 the opportunity to receive mentoring from the Musician in Residence and in turn, they will be involved in delivering weekly sessions of music, movement and Gaelic for children at pre-school and early primary level, extending the reach of our programme."

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