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The Living Tradition
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| Fèis
Rois - Blazing a Cèilidh Trail - by Alice Jenner Issue 48 June 2002 |
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What began as a small local festival, has bloomed 15 years later into an exciting innovative year round programme, covering the whole of Highlands and Islands. What fuels this fiery tenacity? Answer: passionate individuals with canniness to invest in the future. Gloaming on a summer's night, somewhere in the haunting expanse of north Scotland...and the drone of pipes mingled with shrieks of laughter and wild clapping, wafts across the moors. It could be a scene from centuries ago - yet it was August 2001, in the wee village of Applecross on the west coast of Scotland. And the pipers were four young Highland musicians, playing outside to the overflow of eager crowds that had flocked to see them at the local inn. The concert, or cèilidh, was organised by Ross & Cromarty based organisation Fèis Rois. The pipers form part of a group of ten young musicians participating in a three week Cèilidh Trail around the region, designed to introduce them to the demands of professional performance. Fèis Rois began in 1986 with its first week-long festival in Ullapool. These non-competitive festivals, or fèisean in Gaelic, emphasise learning at all levels: from the shyest novice, to the dedicated amateur. On offer are a range of courses in music, dance, art and singing. The idea is to have a lot of fun - but at the same time promote traditional Gaelic music and culture. The instruments are all typically Celtic: pipes, whistle, drums, clàrsach and fiddle. The dancing too: Highland, Step or Country. The singing, Gaelic. But these are no staunch lessons in a dry and dying tradition. Participants are encouraged to invent on their own initiative, with the support of some of the best musicians in Scotland as tutors. After all, if the tradition is to survive, it must evolve at the hands of up and coming generations that play it. Fèis Rois Manager Rita Hunter says "The cultural, social, educational and economic benefits of the fèis experience are making an incredible impact on life in the Highlands, for young people, music tutors, schools and communities". There are now 30 or so Fèisean taking place in communities across the Highlands and Islands, attracting all ages and all levels of expertise. Each year sees an increase in numbers, 2001 being another record-breaker for Fèis Rois Inbhich (the only Adult Fèis) with over 200 participants. Jean Urquhart, proprietor of The Cèilidh Place which hosted activities during Fèis Rois Inbhich, has this to say on the programme: "The very high calibre tutor team attracted people from all over Scotland, as well as visitors from Ireland, England and Japan. Ullapool was buzzing with music for three days and nights, it was a brilliant weekend and promises to grow and grow". The enormous success of this initiative lies in the ability of its founders to instil excitement in the players, and stimulate the latent support of local communities. The enthusiasm of participants and organisers alike is tangible at the end of week cèilidh that is the climax of each fèis. The fèisean strengthen the waning bonds of 21st century community, by injecting it with a healthy dose of pride, in its rich cultural heritage. And that is only the half of it. These fèisean are by no means isolated weeks of intensive fun and learning. Over the past 15 years, the success of the Fèis Rois has been complemented by a growing network of classes offered throughout the year. Taught by expert Scottish musicians and dancers, the classes take place in local communities. Participants are encouraged to consolidate upon what they have learnt in one short week, over a longer period... Hopefully as a life-long pastime. To further broaden the community base of the movement, a newly appointed Fèis Rois Education Development Officer will offer traditional music and song to schools. Four programmes have been developed ranging from "come and try" days, to one-to-one instrumental instruction. Each programme is tailored to the needs of the particular school. The aim is to promote awareness of traditional music at the very roots of community. So far the response has been extremely encouraging. At grass-roots level traditional Gaelic music is being reinvigorated in Highland communities, but will this have any long-term repercussions for the wider folk industry? Scottish musicians are forever lamenting the vibrancy of the folk industry of their Celtic cousins in Ireland, which is not as developed in Scotland. So how is this small movement helping to produce musicians of the future that can compete in an international arena? Those piping, fiddling, all round talented individuals whom I introduced at the beginning of the article - on that dreich night in Applecross, are the answer. The Cèilidh Trail is designed to prepare ambitious young Highland talent for a professional career on the traditional music scene. Ten promising individuals between the ages of 16 and 22, are trained for a week by some of Scotland's top musicians in the arts of audience communication, dance calling, performance preparation and the technicalities of setting-up. They are then set loose on their own, to perform on a packed three week tour of the Highlands. The project involves a substantial amount of responsibility being invested in the musicians, as they are encouraged to coordinate their activities and run events with minimal support. Once they are up on stage, it is all in their hands. They must be able to present a varied and interesting programme that will keep their audience happy. Most importantly, the musicians are encouraged to strive for perfection, presenting a smooth, polished performance. Performing at venues across the region, they have been an immense success. The concert performed at the Applecross Inn was so popular, enthusiastic dancers spilled on to the road outside and a Strip-the-Willow was performed under the stars. This kind of experience is exactly what the Trail is about. As Rita Hunter says: "It gives the youngsters a chance to run events themselves and to learn how to take the audience along with them". All the more encouraging was the fact that it was the ardent support of the local community that meant the Applecross Inn saw its busiest night ever, consequently spewing its customers reeling onto the streets. The Trail not only gives these young musicians valuable experience for professional performance, but in doing so, brings the traditions of Scotland to the doors of community. Together, the activities of Fèis Rois combine to form a comprehensive approach to the promotion of traditional music. The fèis introduce Gaelic music to hundreds of new people, young and old alike, every year. Programmes like the Cèilidh Trail do a great deal not only to train prodigious young talent and increase their professional exposure, but to boost self-confidence in prospective stars. Rita Hunter is greatly encouraged by the response of participants and audiences alike: "There is one comment that keeps coming back from audience members, that this has been their best cultural experience in Scotland, and the most fun". Success to date predicts that the movement can only get bigger, charged as it is, with its own momentum. Let's hope that players will keep wild dancers tripping through the streets! Alice Jenner |
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