Music grant to kick-start school tuition
THE GIFT of music is coming to school pupils with the help of a music charity.
Fèis an Tairbeirt, an organisation supporting traditional music locally, will bring piping and drumming tuition to pupils in Tarbert, thanks to funding from the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drum Trust (SSPDT ).
Fèis an Tairbeirt has secured £6,000 from the music charity to deliver school tuition in pipes and drums, with the intention of forming a school ensemble or pipe band.
To kick off the programme, Kintyre piper and composer Lorne MacDougall, who has played and composed for TV productions and films including How to Train Your Dragon, Brave and Doctor Who, visited Tarbert schools to speak to the pupils about playing the pipes and to give them a taster of what it is like to learn them.
The Fèis also held a Kick-Start day last month at Tarbert Academy, where young people had the chance to get their hands on the chanter, pipes and drums and learn from world class tutors.
Alison MacBride, Fèis an Tairbeirt, said: ‘We had 17 young people attend our Kick-Start day and it was great to see their enthusiasm for learning the pipes and drums.
‘We were lucky to have fantastic tutors on the day including Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner Bridghe Chaimbeul and D2 Percussion founder and director David Ross. There is a great desire for tuition in the area and the funding from SSPDT will allow us to deliver this to our eager and talented young people.’
Alexandra Duncan, chief executive SSPDT, said: ‘The trust is delighted to provide our start up package of funding and guidance to get this schools’ tuition programme off the ground.
‘Learning the pipes and drums and being part of a pipe band provides young people with a fantastic set of skills that stay with them for life.
‘We welcome any organisers of local Fèisean or other parent groups and schools looking to provide tuition for young people in their area to get in touch to discuss how we could support them.’