Traditional Music Forum

SCOTS FIDDLE FESTIVAL LOOKING FOR YOUNG FIDDLERS

The Scots Fiddle Festival is looking for talented young fiddlers (aged 12-18) who live in Edinburgh to be part of an exciting new project.

There will be some workshops held from September running up to the festival (22^nd-24^th November) leading to a performance at the Scots Fiddle Festival.

During the summer there will be informal auditions held. If you are interested in this project please email: eilidh@scotsfiddlefestival.com by the 1^st of July.

SCOTS LANGUAGE SURVEY FROM THE SQA: DEADLINE 28TH JUNE

Historically SQA has not developed separate units in Scots because there are many opportunities to study and use the Scots language in their existing qualifications portfolio. Learners can (and do) currently study and use Scots in, for example:

• English qualifications in Creative Writing, Literature Study, Language Study and Advanced Higher Dissertations
• Drama, where learners can study and perform texts written in Scots
• Music, were learners can use Scots in their performances
• Media Studies in the production and analysis of media texts

Scots is also being promoted as a potential context across a range of Units in the new Scottish Studies Awards.

There have, however, been recent indications of possible growing demand amongst practitioners for the development of separate Units in Scots. In particular, there have been requests for the development of Scots Units for inclusion in the new Scottish Studies Awards. As a result, SQA has decided to undertake some engagement, initially in the form of this online survey. This will help to establish the level of interest amongst practitioners in the development of separate provision for Scots and to explore a number of key issues.

They would be grateful if you could answer the questions which follow to assist them with this work. This will take approximately fifteen minutes.

Take the Scots language survey

STIRLING VENUE THE TOLBOOTH ARTS CENTRE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

As you may know, Stirling Council’s efforts to save money includes an impending review of their arts and culture provision. You will see from Keith Bruce’s recent piece in the Herald (see link), that there is a real concern that the Tolbooth Arts Centre and other local arts venues and organisations may not be getting the support they need and deserves at policy and decision-making levels.

Many of us have benefited from the Tolbooth’s great facilities, as performers, audience members, parents, teachers, and it has potential to do so much more. Please write to councillors asking them to support the Tolbooth as a key part of the infrastructure which allows us to have a rich arts scene on our doorstep.

APPLICATIONS FOR LUMINATE: DEADLINE 28TH JUNE

Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing festival, celebrates our creative lives as we age.  Launched in 2012, Luminate is supported by Creative Scotland, the Baring Foundation and Age Scotland.

Luminate includes new work, collaborations and international projects specially planned and programmed for the festival, as well as independently-run projects led by a wide range of cultural and community organisations. There is growing evidence of the importance of creative activities to our wellbeing as we age, and Luminate wants to shine a light on the many opportunities that exist across Scotland.

In addition to the public programme, Luminate includes Outreach activities which take the festival to care homes, sheltered housing communities and local groups across the country.

If you are planning arts activities or events in Scotland in October which are aimed at older people, or which have a theme related to ageing, Luminate would like to invite you to apply to have your event included in the brochure and on their website.

You can find out more information about the application procedure here.