Congratulations to Douglas Montgomery who has been nominated in Music Tutor of the Year sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Douglas Montgomery 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 Douglas of Douglas Montgomery the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I have been involved with teaching the fiddle for over 30 years and have loved every minute of it. Since 1996 I have been working full time for the Orkney Instrumental service, it is a great job. I perform with Saltfishforty, The Chair, Hadhirgaan, the Grit Orchestra, May Monday and I have guested with Blazin’ Fiddles as well as mixing it up with a few rock/ blues bands. I teach around 100 students each week and direct a few fiddle bands and orchestras in school. I have been a guest tutor at Newcastle University, Blazin’ in Beauly and The Cromarty Fiddle Weekend as well as leading workshops at various festivals such as Celtic Colours, Scots Fiddle Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Shetland Folk Festival, Heb Celt, Stonehaven and many more. I am married with 3 bairns who all play music and enjoy a game of tennis with me when I’m not playing my fiddle.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I am very proud of where I come from so it is an honour to be able to pass on skills I have learnt and still learning. I love our own music and I see the value in keeping it alive.
Any particular career highlights?
It was a great honour to play at the opening concert at Celtic Connections with some of my students and former students. Also it is lovely to see all my students continue to love music.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep teaching as long as I can and balance performing alongside when I can.
Douglas Montgomery Social Media
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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.
