Fiddler keen to cut tuition fees stress
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Fiddle teacher Rachel Campbell (28) set up Astar School of Traditional Music, Gaelic and Highland Culture last year.
“My main priority is to help bring back a sense of community around Inverness for people through the eyes of our vibrant culture and traditions,” she said.
“With the current stresses on music tuition fees I am making plans to create a special fund so that music tuition through Astar can be provided for free to those who simply cannot afford to pay to learn.
“The ability to learn music should not be a privilege given only to those who can afford it.
“I encourage anyone that wants music tuition to get in touch with Astar School and we will do our best to help provide lessons to all.”
The school is running a Highland Tradition event at King’s Factory in Culloden tomorrow. Guests include Julie Fowlis, Mischa MacPherson, Fin Moore, Charlie McKerron, Sophie Stephenson and Bunloit Woolery.
The event is open to the public, regardless of age or ability, and take part in Gaelic song, fiddle, step dance and piping workshops with spinning wool demonstrations and art for primary school children.
The fiddle and piping workshops require a certain level of playing ability and the event will finish with the tutors performing together.
This summer, the school will also be offering job opportunities to young people aged 16-25 through the Monster Trad Music Trail 2019.
Miss Campbell said: “I encourage any musicians who are at a good level of playing/singing and have an interest in traditional music to apply. It is a paid job in July made up of a week’s training in performance and learning a repertoire of local tunes and songs plus a two-week tour of venues around Loch Ness and Inverness. It is an invaluable experience which I have sought to re-create ever since my involvement in the Ceilidh Trails of 2006-2008.”
The school is designed to give local people a better sense of connection to Scottish history and traditions. It took it’s name from the Gaelic word for distance.
Miss Campbell from Inverness believes that learning music can be a huge health benefit to those of all ages. “The skills of memorisation can serve pupils well in education and beyond and there is some evidence that learning a musical instrument or language can help prevent dementia,” she said.
The Astar Youth Ceilidh Band and Astar Mor Ceilidh Band for the adults have already performed for ceilidh dances, weddings, festivals and local music competitions.
