LIZA MULHOLLAND: Young ones hit the right notes at the Highland Youth Music Forum Conference in Inverness’s Spectrum Centre
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Young ones lead the way!
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Highland Youth Music Forum Conference in Inverness’s Spectrum Centre, supported by Fèis Rois, Highlife Highland, Creative Scotland, Youth Music Initiative and the Scottish Government.
Open to music teachers, tutors, facilitators, and others, it was a day of workshops, activities and varied sessions designed to enhance our creative practice and develop what we bring to our students, pupils, and group classes.
Such days are always useful for learning and adding skills and techniques to a music tutor’s toolkit, but this one was different as it was organised and led by young people themselves. And what a tremendous job they did!
The Conference theme was Music – A Universal Language, and sessions included Breaking Down Barriers to Music Making, Music and Emotional Connections, and Bridging the Gap (between genres – what fun we had with Seonaid Aitken teaching us the Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grappelli jazz tune Minor Swing).
We got treated to a live performance from a Syrian musician, a fab session on how to mix trad and rap, global videos highlighting how visuals work with music, and of course we all played together too.
What struck me was how professionally and intelligently the teenagers hosting the day presented both themselves and the sessions they were leading. They sang and played beautifully for us too, and, throughout, conveyed a quiet confidence and maturity that belied their tender years.
These youngsters have all been involved in music for some time, through fèisean, in school, private lessons and other settings, and I understand some hope to continue studies at the Plockton School of Excellence, and university. It’s so heart-warming to see a group of immensely talented and lovely young people follow their passion for music – our traditions are definitely in good hands.
None of this happens by accident of course – our young people need to be given opportunities and nurtured, and for music to be made inclusive for all and as accessible as possible. Not everyone will want to follow a professional path but the scientifically proven benefits of playing music in childhood are huge.
We’re so lucky in Scotland to have a fantastic Fèis network, Youth Music Initiative sessions in schools, Mòds, and lots of classes and tuition festivals, and I’d like to highlight a couple of great Highland opportunities in the October holidays.
Fèis a’ Bhaile runs from October 10 to October 14 and is open for registration on Eventbrite. Held in Inverness’s Gaelic Primary School BSGI, it offers music and arts fun for children aged eight and over, and a Fèis Bheag (wee fèis) for ages five to seven.
Down in Strathspey, Fèis Spè also runs on the same dates in Aviemore Primary School for the same age groups, with terrific classes and tutors. See their website for booking.
Sadly, I’m unable to tutor at either of these this year as I’ll be out of the country – I so enjoy these fèisean – but do check them out!
