Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin Big Band. The EYG Big Band is a three-day programme for ages 13–18. It will be led by some of Scotland’s finest musicians, who will support participants to learn traditional music together and create their own arrangements as a group. The workshops will take place at Deaf Action (49 Albany Street, Edinburgh) on 26 April, 3 and 4 May, then move to Traverse Theatre on 5 May. and we would love to see you there! You can find out more by visiting here.
We asked tutor Jonathan Foster a few questions.
Tell us about your self:
I am a fiddle and guitar player from North Yorkshire, though I have now survived 7 winters in Scotland. I love joining in with sessions and playing at ceilidhs. I was President of the Edinburgh University Folk and Traditional Music Society. Recently I went travelling for a few months and started to learn the whistle, though I don’t think I’ll be leaving the fiddle behind anytime soon!
What’s your favourite album track?
Lily and Diana’s from Huinka by The Chair
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue
What sparked your interest in playing music?
I started by learning classical music on the violin when I was young. I played at Selby Music Centre for a few years in the Senior Strings there. When I moved up to Edinburgh for University, I joined the Folk Society and got hooked! I found it so much more fun than classic music and jumped in with both feet. I owe a lot to the amazing musicians I have met in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland who encouraged and inspired me to keep going.
Who was your first music teacher?
My first music teacher was Ian Conlen who started me off with violin lessons when I was in primary school!
What’s your most memorable performance or teaching moment?
My most memorable performance moment was when I played in the ceilidh band at the Conscious Ball as the support act for Tinchy Strider
What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
I like cooking big curries and telling silly jokes!
Which musician (living or historical) would you most like to have dinner with?
I think Tim Edey would be the most fun at a dinner party!
What’s the strangest thing in your instrument case?
For some reason there’s a little pot of maple syrup in my guitar case that I keep forgetting to take out!
This year we have a number of ticket options to enable young people to attend EYG Big Band:
Free places
Pay What You Can – whatever is available to you at this time. This ticket option also works as a Donation, if you would like to contribute towards another young person’s place. William Grant Foundation are lending us their generous support this year to subsidise more places. Without this, a place at EYG Big Band would be around £350 per person.
Partially-subsidised £60 + booking fee
General ticket £150 + booking fee
If you have any questions about the event or would like more information, please contact Sarah Hayes at eyg@handsupfortrad.co.uk. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any additional support measures for your young person attending EYG 2025.
If you would like to support Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin (and Hands Up for Trad), your donations, however small help us keep ticket costs down and enable young people who would not otherwise get the opportunity to attend. You can donate here.