Percussionist Evelyn Glennie OBE has agreed to be patron of the Gordon Gaitherin. The Gaitherin, which began in 1993, is a week-long children’s festival of the traditional music and culture of the North East of Scotland. Held each Easter in Kemnay, the event brings together 120 children from Gordon District with professional musicians.
The young participants, aged between 8 and 13, spend a fun-filled week taking classes in up to three instruments, including traditional fiddle, bagpipes and the penny whistle. The week culminates in a ceilidh when the children show off their new-found skills to family and friends. The musicians taking part, who have included Ali Bremner of Bucksburn Pipe Band, broadcaster and singer Frieda Morrison and legendary tin whistle player Alex Green from Udny, are delighted to have the opportunity of passing their skills on to the next generation.
Designed to foster a love of the tradition, the Gaitherin also incorporates new trends into it. The best example of this so far has been the re-telling of the legend of Jock O’Bennachie, rap-style!
The next Gaitherin will be held at Kemnay Academy from 1st to 5th April 1996
Last Easter 120 children from Gordon District gathered together in Kemnay to celebrate the music, language and heritage of North East Scotland. For one week, helped by a group of dedicated tutors, they played, sang and acted their hearts out. They had a great time. They’d like to do it all again next year, and they need your help.
So ...
We have more pictures of the children and their tutors in our photo album.
Frieda Morrison is a local broadcaster well-known
by music lovers and gardeners in the North East of Scotland.
BBC Aberdeen has a page on The
Beechgrove Potting Shed and you can find another picture on BBC
Aberdeen, Facilities