When people think of St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh it is perhaps natural to think about classical music being taught to some of the finest young musical talents.
What some may not realise is that the school is also home to some of Scotland’s most gifted traditional musicians.
One of these is S6 pupil Brighde Chaimbeul who has won through to the final of this year’s BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award.
The semi-finals took place in Kendal in Cumbria and ten young musicians aged 16 – 21 competed in this category, either as individuals or in groups. Brighde played her Hamish Moore Smallpipes and was chosen as a nominee, along with three others, including the Causeway Trio (all recent pupils of St Mary’s Music School – Padruig Morrison, Pete Thornton and David Swan).
The finals will take place at the Folk Awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 27 April and will be broadcast live.
Brighde is one of five musically gifted siblings from the Isle of Skye who have attended or are currently pupils at St Mary’s Music School. Older sisters Mairi and Steaphanaidh are both former pupils. Younger brother Eosaph (S2) and sister Ciorstaidh Sarah (S4) are also keen traditional musicians and join Brighde and others in playing folk music in the school’s Traditional Group. Eosaph plays bagpipes, guitar and drums and Ciorstaidh Sarah plays accordion, clarsach and piano.
As part of the wide programme of music education provided at the school, an extensive and regular series of workshops in different types and styles of music takes place each term with acclaimed visiting musicians.
On Sunday (20 March), Jenn Butterworth, one of the foremost folk guitarists in the UK acoustic music scene, ran a workshop with pupils where they started work on a new set for the school’s Summer Concert, drawing inspiration from tunes that might have been heard in the time of Shakespeare, “Saw ye never a bonny lass” and “Kilt thy coat, Maggie”.
Jenn is Lecturer in Practical Studies in the Traditional Music Department of the RCS – part of St Mary’s Music School’s wider partnership with Scotland’s National Conservatoire.
She said:
“It is absolutely brilliant to spend time working with such talented, enthusiastic musicians. They’re great players: I love the way they constantly rise to the challenges.”
Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher at St Mary’s Music School said:
“Everyone at the school is very pleased Brighde has reached the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and we will be wishing her all the very best for the final in London on 27 April.
The music curriculum at St Mary’s Music School enables our pupils to enjoy a wide range of music including classical, traditional and jazz.”