Workshops in Lerwick

I’m in my last week in Shetland now and on my own again. It’s been a busy few days, though. First of all I shifted base to Gulberwick. It might be just 3 miles from town, but dragging all that luggage and a viola over the hill that separates the two bays on a bike was far from easy!

My afternoons have been spent at Anderson High School in Lerwick with some of Margaret Robertson’s fiddle pupils. My aim was to introduce them to a range of music from the North Atlantic and to put pieces together in a range of ways. We learned 3 Icelandic Folk Tunes in a duet version. We then looked at the St Kilda tune “Soay”. We started with just treble and bass parts and the students worked out their own accompanying parts.

Our most ambitious task was improvising on a Faroese children’s song. This was a new way of working for many, so we took a quick recording that we could discuss and work from on day 2. I think everyone (including me!) was amazed at what a beautiful, haunting sound we managed to create – reminiscent of the mistiness that can envelop both Torshavn and Lerwick!

On day 3 we polished up all the pieces and recorded them. Here’s our improvisation on the Faroese tune, which I think is just gorgeous.

I have to say, it was an absolute delight to work with the staff of what is obviously a thriving music department and Margaret, your pupils are a credit to you!