MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Maeve Gilchrist

Congratulations to Maeve Gilchrist who have been nominated in Instrumentalist of the Year sponsored by Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!

We asked Maeve Gilchrist of Maeve Gilchrist the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Edinburgh born harpist and composer Maeve Gilchrist has been credited as an innovator on the clársach due to her uniquely rhythmic and explorative style of playing and writing for the instrument. Currently based in Brooklyn NY, Maeve tours internationally as a solo artist and with a variety of projects including a duo with percussive dance master, Nic Gareiss, a more electronics-based collaboration with Nashville-based bass player and producer, Viktor Krauss and as part of the transatlantic, multi-disciplinary quartet ‘Edges of Light’. She has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Darol Anger, Frankie Gavin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Nir Felder, Esperanza Spalding, Tony Trischka, Alasdair Fraser, Solas and Viktor Krauss. She is a regular visiting artist at the Berklee College of Music and has had a number of instructional books published by Hal Leonard. Along with her performance schedule, Maeve has become an in-demand composer and arranger. In the spring of 2017 Maeve co-wrote and debuted a concert for clársach and symphony orchestra in Hickory NC and later that year wrote and arranged several pieces for a collaboration with the Orlando philharmonic string section. She has been nominated for a United States artist award and is currently working on a commission for the Scottish chamber group Mr Mcfall's chamber to be premiered at the Edinburgh International Harp festival in the spring of 2018. Maeve is an Adventure Music recording artist

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I was extremely lucky to be born into a musical family heavily involved with the traditional music scene in Edinburgh. Although currently living overseas, the experience of growing up in the Edinburgh folk scene instilled a fundamental joy of music that remains with me to this day.
Certainly, elements of Scottish music dominate my composition and style of playing; whether it manifests itself as straightforward melodic idea or in a more abstract sense, the phrasing, ornamentation and modalities are integral to the way I make and hear music. Just as important is the awareness of the symbiosis between community and folk music that was so generously demonstrated to me by the folk scene in Edinburgh and has ultimately shaped the way I live my life.

Any particular career highlights?
A few highlights spring to mind…
This spring I premiered a concerto for clársach and fully symphony orchestra in Hickory NC. This four movement piece charted the story of my great great grandmother and to hear my music come to life so beautifully via the colors of the orchestra was a memorable thrill.

Playing on the premier of Martyn Bennet's Mackay's Memoirs at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 was an incredibly impactful moment for me.

Certainly the experience of writing and recording with Viktor Krauss last year opened up my ears to a whole new world of sonic experiences and has taught me how to be a better listener.

There's been numerous collaborations and performances that have been special, but I'll list a couple of them. The Kilkenny Arts Festival in Ireland (with 'Edges of Light' 2017), Celtic Connections (multiple projects and years), The World Harp Festival (Amsterdam 2008), The Tanglewood Jazz Festival 2008, working with the Orlando Philharmonic and dancer Nic Gareiss this past October was a thrill.

What are your plans for the future?
My recent ventures into composition have been very satisfying and I'd like to continue to focus on writing music that illuminates the harp in new ways and integrates it into different collaborative settings. The textural possibilities of the instrument seems endless to me and I'd like to continue to explore these while using it as my vehicle to connect with different musicians and different cultures across the globe.
I've had a wonderful few years of being involved in a number of collaborations on both sides of the Atlantic and am committed to going deeper and expanding on what we've created but I'd also love to put some time aside in the near future to make a solo project/album. It's been four years since I've focused on a solo project and I've lots of ideas marinating at the back of my mind!
Though currently based in Brooklyn NY, I'm enjoying working on a more regular basis back in Europe and staying connected with Scotland (and Ireland) is very important to me. I'd like to cultivate these connections and remain involved and aware of the sounds and art emerging from both places.

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Paisley’s Lagoon Centre call 0300 300 1210 or to buy online visit www.paisley2021.co.uk/events/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards. Tickets can also be purchased via Paisley Arts Centre. Bands performing on Saturday 2nd December include Elephant Sessions, The Shee Big Band, Siobhan Miller, Tidelines, Paisley Fèis, Snuffbox, The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience, Lori Watson, Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair, Songs of Bàrd Phàislig (featuring Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, Sìneag MacIntyre, Màiri NicAonghais, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ewan MacPherson, Mhairi Hall, Màiri Nic a Mhaoilein and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.