Congratulations to Perth Concert Hall who have been nominated in Venue of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2014. Vote now!
We asked Andy Shearer of Perth Concert Hall the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Opened in September 2005, Perth Concert Hall is Scotland’s newest concert hall. Built as a Millennium project, it has a dazzling glass-fronted foyer and copper-topped dome with a stunning 1200 capacity auditorium and elegant studio. The open public area is home to Glassrooms cafe bar and our unique Threshold artspace for contemporary art
We have a busy, year-round programme of concerts, comedy, dance, musicals, festivals, contemporary art, film, talks, arts workshops and we also hire out our spaces for conferences and events.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Perthshire has a uniquely broad, deep and rich traditional music culture – from the bards of the Highland gaidhealtachd, master pipers stretching from the MacGregors Of Roro in Glenlyon to the Duncans of Pitlochry, a great fiddle history personified by the legendary Niel Gow, the Stewarts of Blair’s huge contribution to the folk revival, great songwriters such as Dougie MacLean and Andy M Stewart to young virtuosos Ross Ainslie and Patsy Reid. From the outset, it has always been a fundamental part of Perth Concert Hall’s mission to celebrate and explore this legacy, provide a showcase for its current exponents and help develop its future.
Any particular career highlights?
Our Pearls Of The Tay concert which opened the Hall in 2005 when Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu directed a worldwide band alongside a host of Perthshire musicians including Aberfeldy and District Gaelic Choir and The Vale Of Atholl Pipe Band.
The annual National Treasure concerts celebrating the music and spirit of the groundbreaking piper and composer Gordon Duncan.
Winning Best Venue at the Scots Trad Awards in 2008 and hosting the Awards Ceremony in 2010 and 2011.
Founding and developing The Gordon Duncan Experience, Scotland’s celtic music youth big band.
Becoming Creative Scotland’s Traditional Music Talent Hub in 2012, culminating in the Words + Music conference and showcase in March 2014.
Establishing and building Southern Fried – Perth’s Festival Of American Roots Music since 2008 and winning Best Small Festival at this year’s Scottish Event Awards.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue promoting the best Scottish traditional music artists and creating unique collaborative projects.
To continue our traditional music education work with young people across Perthshire.
We’re very excited about the re-opening of our sister venue Perth Theatre in 2017 along with its new studio space which will provide much greater opportunities to present traditional music on a number of different scales.
Read more about Perth Concert Hall
http://www.horsecross.co.uk
Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm. You’ll have a great time!