Congratulations to Ardersier International Folk Club who has been nominated in Club of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Ardersier International Folk Club now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked George of Ardersier International Folk Club the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
The club was formed by a group of like minded individuals who have a love of music, song, poetry and story and sets out to maintain and develop traditional music in the area. We also encourage new song writer's through our annual song writing competition.
We have tried, and are successful, in being a very nurturing group where we assist individuals who have not sung or played before to gain confidence and to feel safe to try. We believe that the future of our music scene depends upon that 'Development Style Culture'.
We are a place to relax, have fun, good craic and music. We meet weekly on a Tuesday evening and welcome all to perform or to come and listen.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
All club members are involved for different reasons, but in common there is a love of Scottish music, a recognition that it is good for our health, it gives us an opportunity to celebrate the friendships we have made through our music over many years, and to make new friendships. Many of us have been involved in the Scottish music scene for forty or fifty years and have had great pleasure out of doing so. We want that to carry on through future generations and the club provides us with an opportunity to do so.
Any particular career highlights?
We have a number of highlights, our annual weekend festival which is growing in strength, one of our members who through their own song writing has raised over £15,000 for the MS Society, our annual song writing competition for the Paul Tonberg Shield. One of our biggest highlights however is in being the host for the final concert of Archie Fisher before he retires at the end of October, Archie is supported on the night by Bruce MacGregor and the concert is of course sold out!
What are your plans for the future?
We plan to continue with our weekly meetings, our annual festival and have monthly guests. While we still have some of the tried and tested musicians booked for 2025 we are considering how we can support young upcoming musicians for the rest of the year.
We will of course continue to have fun and to welcome all who come along
Ardersier International Folk Club Social Media
Website: https://ardersierfolkclub.org.uk/
Facebook: Ardersier International Folk Club
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The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
