Congratulations to Mhairi Marwick who have been nominated in Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!
We asked Mhairi Marwick of Mhairi Marwick the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Having grown up in Fochabers, I was brought up playing music from a young age. I was inspired by my fiddle teacher, James Alexander MBE, who was a great influence and inspiration to me. I have also been taught by some of the best fiddle players in Scotland including Marie Fielding and Alastair McCulloch. In 2013 I graduated from Strathclyde University, BA Applied Music with a First Class honours degree and since then became a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2014 and this gave me a platform in the Scottish Music Scene.
Since then I have been performing with various bands including, Fat Suit, Norrie MacIver Band and Robyn Stapleton and I've had great opportunities travelling with music to Europe, America and Asia with a variety of other bands. As well as performing I love teaching at 'The Arc', Fochabers and have formed a fiddle group called 'The Arc Fiddlers' which encompasses the young people I teach. I'm also involved in The Fochabers Fiddle Week and Live Music Now.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I love Scottish music and I'm so passionate about it. The scene is so vibrant and full of exciting opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to experience and be part of. One particular aspect that I really enjoy is sharing music with the younger generation and inspiring them for the future.
Any particular career highlights?
One career highlight was recording Fat Suits 3rd album in Cottiers Church, Glasgow last year. There were around 25 musicians recording live on the album and this was such an amazing experience!
I toured with original band Fat Suit in Summer 2014 on our 21 date European Tour which was definitely a highlight of my career! Playing in Ukraine was especially humbling at that time.
Another career highlight was being part of the band Atlantic Seaway in which combined folk musicians from Strathclyde University BA Applied Music Course, RCS and Berkeley in Boston. This was an amazing project where we came together to write and arrange music and then perform at gigs in America and the following year at Lorient Festival, France.
Playing in Albert Hall, London with the Fochabers Fiddlers when I was 17 was one of the best experiences for me at that age and a pivotal point for me in music.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future I would love to continue in all the avenues that I am involved in: performing, touring, teaching and inspiring young children, composing, recording and organising gigs for local folk club I started called The Arc Sessions. I love all these aspects of my life and hope to continue with them and see what opportunities may come up.
Read more about Mhairi Marwick
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If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.
