MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Wrigley and The Reel

Congratulations to Wrigley and The Reel who have been nominated in Venue of the Year sponsored by Musicians' Union in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley of Wrigley and The Reel the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Wrigley and The Reel is situated right in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney; next door to the historic and iconic St Magnus Cathedral. Established by the internationally acclaimed Orkney fiddle and guitar duo Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley it is predominantly a multi-instrumental school, it also encompasses a café/bar, music shop, concert venue and exhibition space.

Since its inception in 2004 The Reel has become a significant community asset as a venue, social space and creative enterprise. It contributes to the artistic, social, cultural, educational and economic well-being of the community. It adds to the wider profile of Orkney as a place to visit with its vibrant cosmopolitan community and unique distinctive cultural traditions.

The Reel is open 6 days a week all year round (7 days during the summer months) and offers lessons in Fiddle, Violin, Cello, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Double Bass, Electric Bass, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder, Whistle, Classical Voice, Traditional Voice, Percussion, Drums, Trumpet, Classical Piano, Composition, Theory, Accordion, Traditional Piano Accompaniment and more. There are over 600 enrolled students and it is home to more than 20 Self Employed Music Tutors, 20 staff and has over 20 volunteers.

The Reel has been driven by the passion, creativity and commitment of the Wrigley Sisters who are striving to ensure that the unique and distinctive music traditions of Orkney thrive and connect that to all age groups (including visitors). Generating interest in Orkney culture and heritage whilst supporting generations of artists who are tradition bearers. In the process they have built an enterprise that has an impact on the economy, learning opportunities, community well-being and visitor experience for the Orkney Islands.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
The Wrigley Sisters already maintain a well-established and internationally acclaimed reputation and can ably demonstrate an extensive understanding, knowledge and wide experience of local, national and international cultural communities. Indeed they are unquestionably two of the most high profile cultural and creative arts ‘ambassadors’ to emanate from, or to be associated with, the islands over recent times and are clearly appreciated as such within their home community.

They originally started performing together as a formal duo in 1987 and since then have risen in international prominence. During this time they have recorded six acclaimed duo albums, undertaken three world tours, visited forty seven countries (including more than twenty trans-Atlantic trips) and appeared in countless television and radio productions.

They have undertaken many musical and education related initiatives and collaborations, several with internationally renowned artists such as Tom Anderson, Brian McNeill, Dick Gaughan and Peerie Willie Johnson, Dougie Maclean. In addition they have also undertaken and delivered extensive teaching and music workshop initiatives throughout the world.

Over and above their international teaching demands, they have also tutored extensively at home in Orkney – a commitment and dedication shortly to ‘celebrate’ its 30th year.

The sisters were extensively involved in ‘Live Music Now’ – a tutorial initiative who’s patrons are Yehudi Menuhin and Prince Charles. Indeed Prince Charles himself was a member of the audience when the sisters appeared at London’s Barbican Centre in 1997 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ‘Live Music Now’ initiative. The initiative is primarily aimed at positively impacting upon the lives of disadvantaged members of communities, including the disabled and the elderly among many others. Their work in this respect also took them to prisons, care homes and many other such establishments.

Over the years the sisters have won a number of national and international awards, with Jennifer Wrigley herself a past winner of the BBC Young Tradition Award, the UK’s premier accolade for emerging folk music talent.

Any particular career highlights?
The Reel is home to:

The Orcadian Summer Concerts (established 2010) with the aim of giving a concert platform to both well known and lesser known local groups whilst also raising money for charity. So far over 1000 local artists have taken part in the Summer Concerts raising over £17300 for various small local charities.

The Orkney Accordion and Fiddle Club (MG Alba Club of the Year 2015)
The Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society (One of the oldest traditional music groups in Orkney, established 1948)
The Saturday Tune (Established in 1991 – regular Saturday night session)
Plus the Friday Singers Nights, Gin n Jazz at The Reel, The Flute Group, The Tuesday Classical Ensemble and The Blues Nights

The Reel holds a wide variety of International “House Concerts” and workshops with artists including Chris Stout and The Brazilian Quartet, Himmerland from Denmark, The International Guitar Night (Brian Gore, Lulo Reinhardt, Mike Dawes and Andre Krengel), Tim Edey, Kevin Henderson & Brendan Begley, English Sea Shanty Group Stamp and Go, Auld Hats New Heids, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer from USA, The Poozies, Dick Gaughan, SWAP, Kris Drever and Eamon Coyne, Diamh, Simon Thoumire & David Milligan, The Shetland Winter Concerts, Hjaltibonhoga, The Shetland Fiddlers Society, Ivan Drever, Sandy Brechin, Saltfishforty, Kristan Harvey and Tina Jordan Rees, Trevor Hunter, Sarah MacFadyen, Jeana Leslie, Twelfth Day with Catriona Price, Storyteller David Campbell, The Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail and many more.

The hugely successful yearly held October Fiddle and Guitar Festival with internationally acclaimed visiting artists taking lessons, workshops, talks, recitals and concerts all across Orkney. Visiting artists include: Chris Newman and Maire Ni Chathasaigh, Martin Donohoe and Eamon McGivney and Tom McConville.

The Reel has also hosted events as part of the St Magnus International Festival, The Orkney Folk Festival, The Orkney International Science Festival, The Orkney Storytelling Festival, The Orkney Blues Festival and The Orkney Rock Festival.

The Reel was nominated for an MG Alba Community Project of the Year Award in 2008

The Reel had a footfall for 2015/2016 of approximately 250,000

The Reel Fiddlers (Jenny's student fiddle group with around 50 members who have performed locally and recorded a CD for charity in 2012.)

The Reel was gifted a beautiful Pleyel grand piano from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.

Both Jennifer and Hazel have been nominated for Best Unsung Heroes in Orkney by The readers of the local paper 'The Orcadian'.

Hazel served for many years on the St Magnus International Festival Board of Directors.

Jennifer is the current Chairperson of the Orkney Traditional Music Project (MG Alba Community Project of the Year Winners 2008)

What are your plans for the future?
Having invested significantly in terms of their time, expertise and finances in the development of The Reel, Jennifer and Hazel are now at a significant and exciting point in The Reel's development. There has been very little financial support from public bodies with the Reel thriving through it's strong accent on community involvement. Recent support from Creative Scotland has put The Reel and the Wrigley Sisters in a position to explore how they can take The Reel forward, with the following ambitions;

• enhancing The Reel as a key cultural, economic and social asset and improving the infrastructure of what is already a world class multi-arts cultural hub
• protecting, nurturing and empowering cultural traditions unique to this community
• extending audiences and reaching new demographics including remote islands, care homes, preschools and digital networks
• developing The Reel’s sustainable finance model including a fundamental review of governance
• providing both apprenticeships and management development jobs within the Creative Industries
• creating new opportunities (in response to demand) for learners, audiences, artists and arts organisations through inspired programming

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.