The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music has gained a reputation as the number one place for young people to develop their skills as traditional musicians. At this time of year, the Centre opens its doors to young musicians who want to find out about the quality tuition and wide range of traditional music activities on offer.
Two Open Days will take place on Friday, February 9th and Saturday, February 10th, when prospective pupils can find out more about the Centre. Sessions are held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day and include a tour of the Centre, with a chance to meet staff and students and have a comprehensive discussion about life and learning at the Centre. Prospective applicants have the opportunity to play or sing privately for the Director, who can then give advice as to whether a full audition is the next step for them.
The Plockton project is unique amongst the Centres of Excellence set up in 1999, in that it concentrates specifically on one genre of music. The Centre is at the heart of a wide community which has long been known for its support of traditional music and Gaelic culture. Both the school and the wider community have good track records of achievement, particularly in piping and
Gaelic medium education.
Plockton Students learn playing and singing, both live and in the studio, composing and arranging, the history and context of traditional music, stagecraft, music technology, and all the other diverse skills which go to make up a modern professional musician.
Once their time at the school comes to an end, the leavers are well equipped for further study in music or a career in music if that’s what they want. But the Centre is not merely a hive for developing professional musicians. Its students follow a wide variety of career paths, but you may be assured that their passion and musical training stays with them.
Dougie Pincock, the Director of the Centre looks forward to welcoming new pupils to the school. “The open days give potential students and their parents the opportunity to find out what we are about,” said Dougie.
“Our focus is on giving them the chance to learn all there is to know about Scottish traditional music from our excellent tutors.”
You can make an appointment for an Advisory Audition or the Open Days by calling 01599 544706 or e-mailing rhona.sharp@highland.gov.uk.
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