Congratulations to Polish-Scottish Song Group who has been nominated in Community Project of the Year sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Polish-Scottish Song Group 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 Nicolas of Polish-Scottish Song Group the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
The Polish-Scottish Song Group has been on the go since 2011. It brings together folk in the North-East of Scotland who enjoy singing traditional songs from Scotland (especially the North-East), Poland, and beyond. Together we share songs and culture in a friendly and safe setting. The group is currently led by Polish traditional singer Halina Ficon, after being led by Scottish singers Janice Clark and before that Grace Banks. I co-ordinate the group as a volunteer and the Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen physically hosts workshops. The group has members from Scotland and Poland, but also from several other countries and singing traditions, and the group is open to all. The group’s members span three generations and supportive intercultural and intergenerational exchange are important ingredients to its success. Decisions about song repertoire, performances, and other key factors are community led, and all workshops are free to attend.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Traditional music in Scotland can only flourish if it continues to be shared in both official and unofficial spaces, with plenty of room for non-professionals to participate. According to the 2022 census, 21% of residents in Aberdeen were born outwith the United Kingdom and of those, the largest community is made up of people born in Poland. Informal and formal exchanges over the years have shown that there is a real interest from North-East residents born in Poland to learn more about local Scottish culture, and likewise for those born in Scotland to learn more about Polish culture. This group has facilitated the sharing of traditional Scottish and Polish culture and song, resulting in beautiful friendships, renewed culture confidence, and even some pretty good singing!
Any particular career highlights?
We have performed in various contexts including at the Aberdeen VSA Sing, Sing, Sing competition and the Portsoy Boat Festival. The real highlights, though, are the joyful moments we share together every two weeks when we meet up, sing away our frustrations, and create community together.
What are your plans for the future?
We'd like to welcome more members to the group and continue growing our confidence in performing publicly. We're excited to be performing a selection of carols in Polish, Scots, Ukrainian, and English at King's College Chapel on 6 December.
Polish-Scottish Song Group Social Media
Website: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/public-engagement/polish-scottish.php
Facebook: @
Twitter: @
Instagram: @
YouTube: @
TikTok: @
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.
