Congratulations to Scottish Culture and Traditions (SC&T) who have been nominated in Community Project of the Year sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!
We asked Richard Ward of Scottish Culture and Traditions (SC&T) the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
This year, SC&T is celebrating 20 years of providing adult evening classes in the full range of Scottish traditional music, song and dance. This term we have over 250 participants taught by experienced and enthusiastic tutors. We estimate that over 2500 people have been through our classes since we started in 1997. The emphasis is on enjoyment and a sense community as much as the acquisition of new skills. This is reflected in the participation of our classes in community and local events, including our popular end of term concert.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We believe it is important to keep our traditions alive. We want to introduce as many people as possible to these traditions and believe that one of the best ways of doing this is in the form of participation.
Any particular career highlights?
We celebrated our 20th anniversary this year with a three day festival of music, song and dance in Aberdeen, as part of a wider cultural festival celebrating the history of the city – Silver City Stories. In the past three years we have compiled and published two significant volumes, one of songs (A Puckle o Sangs) and, more recently The Aberdeen Collection, 250 contemporary Scottish tunes in traditional style, many contributed by leading lights in the traditional music scene.
What are your plans for the future?
partnership with local community organisations, has provided free class places for 30 folk from disadvantaged communities, The plan is to take the program out into the community, so people do not have to travel so far to attend a class. We also seeking funding to run a program for young people next year in collaboration with the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) 2018, which takes place in Aberdeen and the Aberdeen International youth festival.
Read more about Scottish Culture and Traditions (SC&T)
Facebook: http://www.scottishculture.org
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ScotCultTrad
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.
