FèisA special newsletter focusing on the Highland Council’s YMI YMI partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Youth Music Initiative Contents: Roi-ràdh ...... 2 Reaches Every Primary About YMI ...... 2 Tutor Focus: Darren MacLean, School in Highland Tutor of Gaelic Song ...... 2 In Focus: Delivering This year, delivery of the traditional music YMI in North Highland aspect of the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) and The Small Isles ...... 3 in the Highlands, which gives children in all Highland primary schools experience Tutor Training: Meeting of traditional music, has reached its set the Needs of the Tutors ...... 3 target. Not only has YMI reached every YMI and Highland 2007 ...... 3 primary school in the Highland Council area, it has also led to the creation of Fèis YMI: Feedback ...... 4 employment for the many talented and YMI contacts & professional traditional musicians. co-ordinators ...... 4 In 2004, the responsibility for delivering the traditional aspect of YMI was given to Fèisean nan Gàidheal by the Highland Council. This followed a pledge by the Scottish Executive Pupils of Helmsdale Primary School which aimed to ‘ensure that by 2006, every primary school pupil should have access to Music Development Officer for the Highland at least one year’s free music tuition by the Council, Norman Bolton hopes that this time they reach Primary 6’. Co-ordination initiative will help pupils further on in their of programming the initiative was then learning, saying “It is hoped that through passed onto local fèisean in the Highland time all these skills will enable pupils to Council area, with every school from Eigg build a high level of musical understanding to Avoch and Wick to Glencoe experiencing as they move into Secondary education’. traditional music from some of the most experienced and acknowledged artists in Working on behalf of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Air fhoillseachadh le: their profession, some of whom are graduates Rae MacEachern is the YMI Co-ordinator. from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music She added “It’s thanks to the schools for Fèisean nan and Drama. Tuition has also been offered taking this on and making this work into Gàidheal through the medium of Gaelic in Gaelic their own tight curriculum that has made Taigh a’ Mhill, Port-Rìgh, schools, using tutors fluent in the language. the delivery of YMI such a success. Added An t-Eilean Sgitheanach to that, the quality of delivery through the After running for three years, the goal IV51 9BZ outstanding tutors and local fèisean has of delivering a high quality traditional Meall House, Portree, been remarkable, and long may it continue”. musical experience through the initiative Isle of Skye IV51 9BZ to all 184 primary schools in the Contact details and more information can Fòn/Tel 01478 613355 Highland area has been achieved. be found on page 4 of this publication Facs/Fax 01478 613399 Roi-ràdh About YMI Chaidh fàilte a chur air an Iomairt The traditional music programme Ciùil Òigridh (ICO) mar leasachaidh interfere with existing music provision of the Youth Music Initiative covers ann am foghlam òigridh ha h-Alba, in schools, the options offered are in all primary schools in the Highland agus tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal air a four main areas; tin whistle, Gaelic Council area. Each school is given bhith glè thoilichte ag obair còmhla song, children’s song and group music. a 12-week programme broken into ri grunn chomhairlean ionadail airson Musicians and artists involved in the three 4-week blocks and with their clasaichean ann an ceòl traidiseanta a initiative have included such talents choices being taken from the menu of theagasg mar phàirt den obrach ICO aca. as Rachel Walker, Deirdre Graham, options. In order not to duplicate or Louise MacKenzie and Bob Massie. Tha sinn mothachail air na h- uallaichean a bharrachd a tha an cois a bhith ag obair ann an sgoil, seach fèis neo fhoirmeil, agus tha sinn airson Tutor Focus: Darren MacLean, fiosrachadh a chumail ris na sgoiltean Tutor of Gaelic Song air na bhios sinne a’ tairgse mar phàirt den ICO. Tha sinn an dòchas gum bi an told them of my interest and that I litir-naidheachd seo feumail, agus gum could be available to them. A while bi e a’ soillearachadh ar dreuchd-sa. later, I was invited to go along and do Gaelic Song in the schools. Art MacCarmaig Stiùiriche From there, my name went onto Fèisean nan Gàidheal the tutor list and tutoring through YMI became a more permanent part of my work. To do YMI makes Amazingly, all the pupils were it easier for musicians to make a really enthusiastic about the Traditional singer and tutor Darren living out of their art. It can often lessons and really enjoyed them. MacLean hails from Roag, near be flexible enough to fit in with other professional commitments. Hope to have the same again. Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye. Having participated in a number of fèisean Teacher, Brora Primary School The work has taken me all over and local mòds when he was younger, the Highlands from Skye to Wick Darren went on to win the prestigious and Lochaber to Lochcarron. It’s Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal really great to see different parts Foreword National Mòd and was nominated as of the Highlands and experience The Youth Music Initiative (YMI) a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland the differing styles of culture and is a welcome development in the Young Traditional Musician of the language across this vast area. education of young Scots, and Year Award 2007. Here, Darren Fèisean nan Gàidheal is particularly tells us of his YMI experiences: The children are really enthusiastic, pleased to have had the opportunity not only because they get away from Singing has always been in the family to work with several local authorities Maths or English, but they want to tell and I was always encouraged to sing, in providing traditional music lessons you stories, similar to the ones that lie especially round the home. That’s where as part of their YMI delivery. behind the songs. And that’s the best I picked up many of the songs I know. thing about YMI. The children across We recognise that working in a school When I left school I went on to study the Highlands, and indeed Scotland, requires additional disciplines to a music at the RSAMD in Glasgow. I knew are getting a wee taste of our tradition less formal Fèis, and we would like I enjoyed performing and singing and and heritage. They remember what to keep all schools informed of what like people to enjoy what I enjoy, so they have learnt and they want to we offer as part of YMI delivery, I suppose it was then that I decided learn more, so they go out to their and ensure that they know how to to pursue a career in singing. own communities ready to learn. contact us if they have any concerns. We hope that this newsletter will be I first heard of YMI through some useful, and will help clarify our role. friends on Skye who were tutoring in the schools and was immediately Arthur Cormack interested in getting involved. So, I Director got in touch with the local fèis and Fèisean nan Gàidheal I liked it very much. I was not into this kind of music but I am now! School Pupil In Focus: Delivering Tutor Training: Meeting the Needs of the Tutors YMI in North Highland The success of YMI has opened up and The Small Isles further opportunities for tutors to gain training specific to working The universal delivery of become Primary teachers, and others in schools. Units have included YMI effectively covers a large have been able to make a full-time class management and teaching geographical region, equivalent professional commitment to music. strategies, preparation of teaching to the size of Belgium. Here, we plans, along with child protection, I liked the songs and now I’ve focus on the approach of two equal opportunities and inclusion. different areas in delivering YMI got more confidence in myself Basic Gaelic for classroom use is to schools in their locality. and enjoy singing out loud. also an essential ongoing class. North Highland School Pupil Throughout the year, training days are Covering both rural and urban The Small Isles centrally organised and regularly take place in different areas throughout areas, Fèis Rois co-ordinates the Fèis Lochabair have been busy the region. Outside agencies have delivery of YMI in 104 schools in the delivering their YMI programme to some also been included in delivering Highlands. Since September 2006, of the remotest places in Scotland. The training aimed at tutors involved over 3,700 children have received isles of Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna in bringing the arts to children. visits from their team of tutors. all lie off the North West Coast of The Education Officer at Fèis Rois has Scotland, where pupil numbers vary These training events are complemented organised a system whereby the focus from one pupil on the Isle of Canna, to by tutor training sessions run by rotates between the areas of Inverness/ six children on the Isle of Muck. This Fèisean nan Gàidheal. These two-level Nairn and Ross-shire/Caithness. may be rather low compared to some of courses, covering all aspects of tutoring The children are given a carefully- the bigger schools found in the more young people, have been well recieved planned, lively and informative tuition populated areas of the Highlands, but by those who attended, including programme of traditional Scottish music that doesn’t mean they get left out. representatives from Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin’ and Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, through a range of subject choices. Delivery of YMI takes a different form as well as aspiring fèis tutors. Teaching staff and children have in this area. Usually, the tutors will be responded with wonderful enthusiasm based on the mainland in Mallaig and If you would like more information and great progress is being made travel out to each of the Islands every regarding YMI training, contact in the subjects offered. Particularly day. Unlike the mainland schools, where your local fèis or Rae MacEachern, noteworthy is the all-inclusive nature tutors will come in for perhaps an hour YMI Co-ordinator for Fèisean nan of the scheme, which allows children of every week for a set period, the small Gàidheal: [email protected] all abilities to benefit from the tuition. isles get just one visit per term, which normally lasts around three hours. By The YMI programme has made a CalMac ferry or by Fastcraft Rib, tutors notable impact on the career paths of the YMI traditional music programme of many graduates and Highland make every effort to get to the YMI and Highland 2007 musicians. Three of our original schools in the islands to deliver YMI. YMI tutors have now gone on to In the year that Scotland celebrates Highland Culture, the Fèisean have been asked to offer their services to the many Cultural Co-ordinators in the Highland area. If you are running an event in association with one of the co-ordinators in the area and think that the project would benefit from one of YMI’s many talented and experienced tutors, then do not hesitate to get in touch. Your local YMI representative’s contact details can be found on page 4 of this leaflet. Each school is provided with The children gained so much from It was fun and it made me feedback forms for teachers, pupils the four weeks. They thoroughly like Scottish music more and tutors to complete at the end enjoyed the interaction and School Pupil of each block of YMI. This initiative participation. It also gave me, as a teacher, an insight into a side of More of the same! As a Gaelic- has led to many positive comments the children we don’t normally see. medium teacher I particularly and responses appearing from appreciate it when tutors use I thought it was extremely schools across the area. Below are some Gaelic with the pupils. worthwhile and thoroughly typical examples of the comments rewarding for the school. I felt that the groupwork classes the project has received: were very well organised. There Teacher, Mulbuie Primary School We really enjoy the input from YMI, was a good balance of work on and the pupils look forward to their I really enjoyed tin whistle and I developing knowledge about Scottish visits. A number of our more musical am going to try and get to the Fèis music and developing playing skills pupils continue to play whistle from School Pupil in an inclusive way that catered for all abilities. Having gained new home and enjoy a new challenge. I liked the songs so much that ideas for teaching group music I Head Teacher, Elgol Primary School when I went home I was singing will try to do more myself with the the songs all the time Great class. Could do with pupils. Thank you Louise and Barry! School Pupil more singing to boost Teacher, Ullapool Primary School confidence. Music good. This was a most worthwhile Tutor project. I likes the way the pupils’ individual interests were included. Teacher, Rogart Primary School

YMI Contacts Fèis YMI Local For further information Co-ordinators: on the Youth Music Initiative contact: Caithness, Ross & Cromarty, Nairn and Inverness Fèisean nan Gàidheal Fèis Rois Taigh a’ Mhill 5 Business Centre Port-Rìgh 1 Castle Street An t-Eilean Sgitheanach Dingwall, Ross-shire IV51 9BZ IV15 9HU 01478 613355 [email protected] fi[email protected] Lochaber Rae MacEachern Lochaber Fèisean YMI Co-ordinator Development Office 25 Camuscross Camaghael Hostel Offices Isleornsay Fort William Isle of Skye PH33 7ND IV43 8QS 01397 704132 01471 833 258 [email protected] [email protected] Badenoch & Strathspey Norman Bolton Judith Bullivant Skye & Lochalsh Highland Council Fèis Spè Peggy Nicolson Music Development Officer BalcluaranInsh Fèis an Earraich Education Centre Kingussie 5 Kilmore Castle Street Inverness-shire Sleat, Isle of Skye Dingwall PH21 1NT IV44 8RG IV15 9HU 01540 661007 01471 844706 01349 863 441 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sutherland Louise MacKenzie 01408 633 084 louisefi[email protected]

This newsletter has been published by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, on behalf of the traditional programme of the Youth Music Initiative in the Highland Council Area. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is a company limited by guarantee, recognised by Inland Revenue as a Scottish Charity, number SC130071, and is funded by the Scottish Arts Council, Bòrd na Gaidhlig and The Highland Council