Shetland is internationally famous for its fiddle music tradition, and in August 2024 a new event, Shetland Fiddle Week, opens its doors for the first time.
Shetland Fiddle Week, a new celebration of the islands’ fantastic fiddle tradition, is an exciting addition to Shetland’s vibrant cultural scene.
Organised by Shetlanders Lynda Anderson and Jenna Reid, both talented fiddle players, the inaugural fiddle school will be launched in Lerwick in August 2024. The event involves a combination of tuition, talks, music sessions and concerts.
Lynda and Jenna are delighted at the prospect of bringing together 60 students from all over the world. The debut event will be based in the town’s Islesburgh Community Centre, where guests will learn from some of Shetland’s best-known fiddlers and tutors, Andrew Gifford, Ross Couper, Kirsten Hendry, Robbie Leask and Jenna Reid.
Shetland is known the world over for its deeply special fiddle tradition and Shetland Fiddle Week will see participants immersed in local music, culture, and hospitality. Guests will delve into these fascinating and precious aspects of Shetland life and musical tradition, which have been celebrated by visitors for many years.
The week will open with a private event in the Shetland Museum and Archives with sessions, talks and Shetland reel demonstrations, the perfect start to the week.
Evening sessions will be held at Lerwick Boating Club, bringing people together to enjoy music. The club is situated on the town’s beautiful waterfront, just along the road from the Lodberrie house made famous as the home DI Jimmy Perez in the ‘Shetland’ drama series.
Students will see more of Shetland, with an outreach day in the South Mainland, where participants will enjoy visits to local knitwear and jewellery workshops as well as an evening concert in the Carnegie Hall in Sandwick.
Many local musicians are joining the fiddle week as performers, giving visitors a chance to see and experience the fiddle tradition as it continues to thrive.
Evening sessions will be held at Lerwick Boating Club, bringing people together to enjoy music.
Concerts are a much needed break from a week of learning tunes and soaking up the repertoire during the busy classes.
Jenna and Lynda are delighted that one of the concerts will be hosted in Lerwick’s “Big Kirk” (St Columba’s Church), with a specially honed acoustic concert making the most of the stunning sounds that are perfect for unaccompanied fiddles.
The inaugural fiddle week concludes with a concert and dance at Quarff Hall, one of the network of excellent community halls found all over Shetland. This finale will see students invited to join a performance with the wonderful local acts gracing the stage for the evening.
Rosin your bows!
Visit the Shetland Fiddle Week website to discover more and book your tickets.