Touring ‘On A Wing and A Prayer’ in Perthshire

A reminder that in June we’ll be touring On A Wing and A Prayer – Reflections on Morvern’s Changing Habitat around Perthshire. Our On A Wing and A Prayer series is rooted in local communities and explores how these precious places are being affected by human activity, whilst also celebrating the many positive actions taken by small communities.

We were really eager to bring this programme to Perthshire as, like Morvern, this area is rich in native woodlands and abundant in water, which is used extensively to generate power. Out on my daily cycle from Dunblane each day, there are so many reminders of the beautiful week I spent in Morvern, though I confess, I miss the sea!

Book Your Tickets Now!

7th June Weigh Ahead Gallery Dunblane at 6pm Tickets and at 8pm Tickets

12th June Strathearn Arts, Crieff at 7:30pm Tickets

14th June Birnam Arts, Dunkeld at 2pm with lunch option at 12:30 Tickets preceded by a drawing to sound workshop at 10am with Orla Stevens. Tickets

The Music

Our programme for string trio was created by Morvern composer Lisa Robertson and I in residence two years ago and it journeys from the West Highland Coast of Scotland, through the Atlantic Rainforest and down the water courses into the community hydro scheme at Ardtornish. As well as our own music, there’s a Nordic twist from Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdóttir and an evocation of the coast in the folk-inspired Atlantic Drift by Scottish composer Judith Weir.

Along the way, we hear sounds from the woodlands recorded in a community workshop (Into the Rainforest) in Morvern and Oakwood, End Of May by Scottish Wildlife Trust’s ranger, Steve Hardy, who advised us during our residency. There’s also an innovative improvisation (The Rainforest) on lichens from our string trio, working from a graphic score.

The programme ends with our fabulous commission from Lisa Robertson, ar lùths (our power) which features the most incredible musical depiction of a screw turbine on the hydro scheme at Ardtornish. Here’s Lisa introducing the piece:

I was so impressed with your compositions…there was so much that was quiet and subtle in them. You captured the woods and nature so well.

Steve Hardy, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Drawing to Sound with Orla Stevens in Birnam

We’re also very lucky to have Orla Stevens joining us in Birnam for a Drawing to Sound workshop. A musician herself, Orla has a wonderful way of equating elements of music and sound with art, thinking of both in terms of shape, texture, colour and volume. Her workshop will open your mind to the sounds out in nature and increase your enjoyment of our music, which both interprets and mimics some of the sounds we heard out in Morvern. Why not book for the whole day, enjoying lunch together following Orla’s workshop and then relaxing to our concert afterwards. Find out more about Orla’s workshops here:

See you on tour!

On A Wing and A Prayer Morvern played to full houses at its premiere two years ago and we cannot wait to play it again, accompanied by beautiful video shot on location, so make sure you book your ticket now (some of our venues have limited capacity) and we look forward to meeting you all at our concerts.

I’ve been truly listening to the incredible nature sounds recently …from the crack and sway of the wind in the trees , the burn beside my home …the bird song never really stops. Thank you for putting us , along with other incredible local talent on the Musical Map that is Morvern

Audience member – Morvern July 2024