Fèisean success goes up the scale
TRADITIONAL music workshops are on the up, according to Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
The organisation’s annual report, unveiled last week, showed that it engaged with at least 71,000 people in 2016-17. According to a survey conducted by the Traditional Music Forum, the work of the Fèisean now accounts for a third of all traditional music tuition for young people across Scotland.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal chairman Duncan MacQuarrie MBE said: ‘This report demonstrates that our yearround programme, agreed with Creative Scotland, HIE and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, was successfully delivered through an impressive body of work during the period.
‘We were pleased to deliver services for The Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Argyll and Bute Council as well as securing a number of contracts from other local authorities and public bodies, which were delivered through our Fèisgoil service.
‘Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s priority is to ensure continued support for and development of local Fèisean, and during the year a new Fèis in Tarbert, Loch Fyne, was welcomed.’
He continued: ‘2017-18 may present challenges, but there will also be opportunities. In my final year as chairman, I would like to take the opportunity, on behalf of the Fèisean nan Gàidheal board, to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to our staff and all the Fèis volunteers who continue to work so diligently and with great dedication. I wish them, and our member Fèisean, every success in the years to come.’