Fiddle Frenzy 2017 by Shetland Arts

30 JULY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 AUGUST 2017

QUESTIONS? Please contact the Fiddle Frenzy Team: fiddle.frenzy@shetlandarts.org +44 (0) 1595 743843 (during office hours) Or you can write to us: Mareel, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0WQ www.shetlandarts.org

Keep up to date

www.shetlandarts.org/fiddle-frenzy www.facebook.com/fiddlefrenzy

Welcome

to Fiddle Frenzy 2017, Shetland Art’s annual celebration of the music and culture of these islands. My thanks goes out to all the staff involved in bringing this significant event together, especially this year’s curator, Claire White. The programme of workshops, classes and concerts that Claire has put together for you to enjoy features the best of Shetland. From tutors like Jenna Reid (former curator) and rising star Ross Couper to performances by dignitaries of the music scene like Peter Gear and Ewen Thomson, Hjaltibonhoga, Rack ‘n’ Ruin and RANT it really will be a festival to remember. The Creative Fringe is back to provide a wellearned break from music making if you feel you need it and there is an extensive range of tours to get you out and about in Shetland. I look forward to seeing and hearing you this summer.

Graeme Howell - General Manager (Shetland Arts)

JOIN US! Claire White Fiddle Frenzy curator P hot og ra p h © Sm

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Claire White is an award-winning singersongwriter and fiddler from Lerwick. She learned music from Dr Tom Anderson and has been performing and teaching internationally for the past twenty-five years. Claire’s current lineups include Blyde Lasses, Hjaltibonhoga, Danse McCabre and Jingbang. When not making music, Claire produces Out For The Weekend on BBC Radio Scotland.

Photograph © Dale Smith

Spend a week immersed in Shetland’s Musical Culture & Community Shetland’s doors for everyone to learn fiddle in the islands themselves. This is a unique, immersive experience which encompasses not only music, but all of Shetland’s rich culture. Visit the places which have inspired tunes, meet the tradition bearers, experience the ever-changing weather, enjoy a dram with locals, lose yourself in a late night session. We’ve put together a programme which will transport you to a week of puffins, ponies, beaches, archaeology, geology and endless skies. Welcome aboard!

Shetland is well known for its unique fiddle tradition which dates back hundreds of years. A blend of Scandinavian and Scottish styles, the Shetland sound is characterised by evocative melodies and driving rhythms. Regionally-specific island repertoires have developed over centuries of migration, and the tradition continues to evolve in new and exciting ways today. Many Shetland players have recently forged professional careers for themselves in music, and fiddle tuition in the islands has never been more extensive. For one week each year, Fiddle Frenzy opens

What’s Available at Fiddle Frenzy FULL FRENZY

HALF FRENZY

An all-inclusive package giving access to all workshops, tours and concerts across the week.

A package giving access to all workshops and tours. Concert tickets are not included, but can be bought separately for each concert.

£425 / £325 SHETLAND FIDDLE GUITAR CREATIVE FRINGE

£350 / £275 SHETLAND FIDDLE GUITAR CREATIVE FRINGE

Fiddle Frenzy classes are suitable for ages 12+, and not suitable for complete beginners. Supervision arrangements for children under 16 will be discussed with parents / guardians in advance. Students will need to bring their own instrument.

In the Programme Workshops - Shetland Fiddle See pages 6-8 workshops - Guitar See page 9 Workshops - Creative Fringe See pages 10-11 Festival Programme See pages 12-13 Workshops & Masterclasses See pages 14-15 Fiddle Frenzy Concerts See pages 16-19 saturday sets See page 20 tours See page 21 sessions & festival club See page 22 travel & accomodation See paGe 23 5

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Improver You should be able to play a few tunes without much hesitation, and have had some experience learning by ear.

Intermediate You should feel at ease playing several tunes at a medium speed, and feel quite comfortable learning by ear.

Advanced You should be very confident at playing more technical tunes and be able to play at a quick tempo. Ideally, you should be keen on learning by ear.

Fiddle Tutors  6

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Three levels of fiddle tuition are available at Fiddle Frenzy, to cater for a range of abilities. Please note that none of our classes are suitable for complete beginners. All classes are taught mainly by ear, although music can be provided on request. You may want to bring a recording device with you to classes. All music will be distributed at the end of the week.

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Workshops

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Lois Nicol

Jenna Reid

Lois is a member of the very musical Nicol family from Lerwick. She has been a member of local groups Haltadans; Dwaam; Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag; and the Shetland Collective. Lois graduated with honours from Newcastle University’s Folk & Traditional Music degree in 2012. Since returning home, she has taught at a number of Fiddle Frenzies, and also recently spent a year as a music instructor in local schools. During this time, she has gained herself a reputation as a very effective and inspiring tutor.

Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid has toured all over the world with many different bands. She appeared on the 3rd and 4th series of Transatlantic Sessions where she performed with many musicians including Martha Wainwright, Stuart Duncan and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Jenna has released four solo fiddle albums and has appeared on over 20 recordings. Jenna enjoys writing new music and has published her own book of tunes, ‘The Quarff Collection’. Look out for Jenna in chamber folk quartet, RANT & Highlands & Islands Fiddle Band, BLAZIN’ FIDDLES.

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Andrew Gifford

Ross Couper

Barry Nisbet

Pauleen Wiseman

Andrew began fiddle lessons in primary school and was taught by both Willie Hunter and Margaret Robertson. He has been a member of world-travelled Shetland band, Fiddlers’ Bid for over 20 years, having recorded four albums with them. Now based in Glasgow, Andrew enjoys playing a variety of musical styles, with several different bands.

Born & raised in Shetland, and son of musician & fiddle teacher Margaret Robertson, Ross is a familar face at Fiddle Frenzy and always a popular tutor. Ross’ explosive fiddle playing lies at the heart of some of the biggest acts on the Scottish folk scene previously part of Scots Folk Award winning (Band of the Year) Bodega. He is currently fiddle player with the mighty Peatbog Faeries.

Barry Nisbet is a Shetland fiddler and songwriter who was brought up in the north of Yell playing in the traditional style of the Cullivoe Fiddlers, as well as music from the wider Shetland tradition. He has performed with Cullivoe based band Rack ‘n’ Ruin since the early 1990s, has had a variety of solo projects, and has toured recently in Europe with Dundee based Wire and Wool, and with French band Tildon Krautz. Barry’s music features on the following albums:

Pauleen started learning the fiddle at age 5 and was taught by Catriona MacDonald, Jeanna Inkster, Dr Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter. She plays fiddle, piano and flute and has performed worldwide with Shetland’s Heritage Fiddlers and at the Edinburgh military tattoo with Hjaltibonhoga. She has been instructing fiddle and piano in Shetland schools for 17 years and graduated in 2015 from Perth College UHI with a Masters in music composition for Film, TV and Media. Pauleen has composed and recorded music for the book and film ‘Havera: the story of an Island’ and for the project ‘Migrants: a Shetland response’.

Rack ‘n’ Ruin Da Ruination (1998) The Cullivoe Fiddlers (2006) Wire and Wool Wire and Wool (2016)

Bernadette Porter

Jim Leask

Martha Thompson

Kirsten Hendry

A former pupil of Tom Anderson, Bernadette is a familiar face on the Shetland Fiddle scene teaching school pupils and adults alike for the last 25 years. Bernadette has been responsible for developing many of the current talented Shetland fiddle players and was a founder member of Trigbag and Square Da Mizzen and the Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion club. She also ran a very successful youth group who went as far afield as Denver, Colorado and Norway. A number of these past students are now professional musicians in their own right.

One of the finest Shetland fiddle players. Jim is a master of harmony playing who brings a unique style to our sound. He has led the “Marlex Sessions” for a number of years. Many of the local groups play his set arrangements and think of them as “traditional”. Jim was a founder member of Trigbag and Square Da Mizzen.

Daughter of renowned fiddle maker (and player) Ewen Thomson, Martha is a former winner of Shetland Young Fiddler of the year and a well respected face on the Shetland Music scene.

Kirsten has been playing fiddle and piano since primary school and graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a degree in traditional Scottish music. Since then she has been teaching privately from the High Level music centre in Lerwick, and performing regularly throughout Shetland. Kirsten recently received the Shetland Choice Award from the Shetland Baby & Children Awards for her musical contribution to pupils and their families. This will be her 5th year as a tutor at Fiddle Frenzy.

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Guitar Guitar accompaniment to fiddle music is common in the Shetland tradition and was popularised by the unique style of ‘Peerie’ Willie Johnson.

Guitar Tutors  9

Tom Oakes

Arthur Nicolson

Tom Oakes is a multiaward winning guitarist and flautist composer and founder member of the genre defying Auvo Quartet. He now heads up his own ‘Tom Oakes Experiment’ highlighting Oakes as a flautist and composer. Tom plays regularly with FF 2017 Fiddle Tutor Ross Couper. Over the last five years the pair have (amongst many other things!) played three sell out performances at Celtic Connections, toured Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the UK (Including Cambridge, Shetland and many more festivals) Played in front of 5000+ collaborating with Danish popstar Lukas Graham at Tonder festival. Appeared as the band on the BBC’s ‘Shetland’ drama twice, on multiple TV broadcasts for BBC Alba and provided music for the latest advert by clothing giant Anthropologie.

Arthur Nicholson was born to be a musician and has been heavily involved in the Shetland music scene from an early age. Starting primarily as an electric guitarist, Arthur is also an acoustic singer and songwriter. He released his debut solo album in 2013 and was a winner at the Celtic Connections open stage in 2014, opening for Allison Moorer at the 2015 festival. He has opened for a number of established artists that have visited Shetland, such as Martyn Simpson and Grammy Award winner Sarah Jarosz. He plays in Between Islands, a collaborative project also featuring Willie Campbell and Kris Drever. Since 2010 he has played with local covers band First Foot Soldiers.

Workshops Creative Fringe Creative Fringe workshops at Fiddle Frenzy are a collection of Shetland craft experiences which deepen your connection with the islands’ natural environment and rich handwork traditions. Activities include studio tours and workshops in sketching, printing, watercolour and silver work. You’ll leave Shetland with a suitcase full of unique pieces produced by your own hands across the week! The Creative Fringe is run by Shetland-based artists Amy Colvin and Ana Arnett in collaboration with specialist local tutors. Creative Fringe classes can be booked as Full, Half or Day Frenzy packages.

Amy Colvin & Ana Arnett Amy and Ana both left Shetland to complete BA(Hons) Degrees, Ana in Sculpture at Glasgow School of Art and Amy, Painting at Grays School of Art. Their similar approach to teaching and their personal practice has led to them delivering a range of workshops together and collaborating on personal projects also. Their laid back approach makes for fun and inclusive workshops.

Creative Fringe Tutors 

Creative Fringe Programme Burra Artist/ Maker trail

Monday AM PM

Visit local Artist and Silversmith Mike Finnie at Red Houss studio. Visit local Maker Wendy Inkster at her Burra Bear workshop.

Ollaberry

Tuesday AM/PM Work on your Sketching techniques out and about in Ollaberry.

Sumburgh Lighthouse CafĂŠ

Wednesday

AM/PM A visit to the Lighthouse where you will explore a variety of printing techniques using the spectacular scenery as inspiration.

Mareel CafĂŠ Bar

Thursday AM PM

Making silver Fair Isle buttons with Mike Finnie of Red Houss Large silver Fair Isle heart pendant (22mm across) with Mike Finnie of Red Houss

Bressay

Friday AM/PM Spend the day exploring and capturing Bressay with watercolour landscape painting.

Mareel Foyer

Saturday AM

Set up an exhibition of works from throughout the week in Mareel.

Sunday 30 July

 Lerwick

From 4pm 4.45pm - 5.30pm 5.30pm - 6pm 6pm - 7pm 7.30pm - 10pm 10pm - 12am

Mareel, Lower Foyer Mareel, Auditorium Mareel, Auditorium Mareel, Auditorium Mareel, Auditorium Mareel, Auditorium/Café Bar

Student Registration Student welcome and yoga First play through Saturday Sets Soup/bannocks supper OPENING CONCERT FESTIVAL CLUB

Monday 31 July

 Lerwick

9.20am - 9.50am 10am - 12.30pm 12.30pm - 1.30pm 1.30pm - 4pm 2pm - 3pm 3.30 - 4.30pm 7pm - 9.30pm 10pm - 12am

Mareel Mareel/Museum Mareel Mareel/Museum Lerwick, Galley Shed Lerwick, Shetland Soap Co Islesburgh Community Centre Mareel

Saturday Set Rehearsal Workshops (with coffee break) Lunch Break Workshops (with coffee break) Up Helly Aa tour Shetland Soap Company Tour SHETLAND SHOWCASE FESTIVAL CLUB

Tuesday 1 August

 Ollaberry

8am - 8.30am Muster for Bus to Ollaberry Mareel 8.30am Bus departs to Ollaberry Mareel 10am- 4pm Geopark Tour Ollaberry 10am - 12.30pm Workshops (with coffee break) Ollaberry School 12.45pm - 1.45pm Lunch Break Ollaberry 2pm - 4.30pm Workshops (with coffee break) Ollaberry School 5pm - 6.30pm Dinner Ollaberry 7.30pm - 9.30pm CONCERT - ROSS COUPER & TOM OAKES Ollaberry Hall 9.30pm - 11pm Session at Ollaberry Hall Ollaberry Hall

Wednesday 2 August

 Lerwick

7.30am - 12.30pm 9.20am - 9.50am 10am - 12.30pm 12.30pm - 1.30pm 1.30pm - 4pm 4.30pm - 6pm 6pm - 7pm 7.30pm - 9.50pm 10pm - 12am

Lerwick Fish Market Mareel Mareel/Museum Mareel Mareel/Museum Mareel Mareel Café Bar Mareel Mareel

Fishing Tour Saturday Set Rehearsal Workshops (with coffee break) Lunch Break Workshops (with coffee break) Fiddle Technology Workshop Ross Couper & Tom Oakes Album Launch CONCERT - RANT FESTIVAL CLUB

Thursday 3 August

 Lerwick

9.30am - 10am 10am - 5pm 10am - 12.30pm 12.30pm - 1.30pm 2pm - 4.30pm 7.30pm - 10pm 10pm - 12am

Mareel South Mainland Mareel/Museum Mareel Mareel/Museum Mareel, Auditorium Mareel

Muster for Bus to South Mainland Tune Tour Workshops (with coffee break) Lunch Break Workshops (with coffee break) CONCERT - SALT HOUSE FESTIVAL CLUB

Friday 4 August  Bressay 8.30am - 9am Muster for Bus to Bressay Mareel 9am Bus departs to Bressay Mareel 10am - 4pm Walking Tours of Bressay Bressay 10am - 12.30pm Workshops (with coffee break) Bressay Old School/Hall 11am - 3pm Noss Tour Noss 12.30pm - 1.30pm Lunch Break Bressay Hall 2pm - 4.30pm Workshops (with coffee break) Bressay Old School/Hall 5pm - 6.30pm Dinner Bressay Hall 7.30pm - 11.30pm CONCERT & Dance - Rack ‘n’ Ruin Bressay Hall

Saturday 5 August 8.30am - 9am 9am - 12pm 9.30am - 12pm 12pm - 1pm 12.30pm - 1pm 1pm - 4.30pm 1pm - 5pm 7.30pm - 10pm 10pm - 12am

 Lerwick/Eshaness

Muster for BBC Shetland Tour Bus Mareel BBC Shetland tour Bus trip North Atlantic Fiddle Convention Mareel Lunch Break Mareel Muster for Tammy Tour Bus Mareel North Atlantic Fiddle Convention Mareel Tammy Tour Bus trip to Eshaness CONCERT - Jenna Reid & Kevin MacKenzie Mareel, Auditorium FESTIVAL CLUB Mareel

Sunday 6 August  Lerwick 10.30am - 12pm 12pm - 12.30pm 12.30pm - 1pm 1pm - 2pm

‘Fiddle Love’ Masterclass Mareel Shetland Reel Performance Mareel Café Bar ‘Clewing Up’ Concert: Maurice Henderson & Friends Mareel Café Bar Farewell Session Mareel Café Bar

Workshops & Master Classes Fiddle Frenzy Yoga Sunday 30 July, 5-5.30pm Mareel Auditorium Prepare physically and mentally for an action-packed week with Hazel Thomson of Shetland Yoga. Hazel Thomson has been practising Yoga for over 30 years and teaching Yoga since 1994. She studied with Yoga Scotland in Edinburgh and gained their Diploma in Yoga Teaching. She has run a variety of classes and one-to-one sessions for all ages and abilities from babies to older people

Fiddle Technology workshop & studio tour with Tim Matthew Wednesday 2 August, 4.30-6pm MAREEL green room & studio Do you aspire to create a wall of sound using effects pedals or just want to know how to amplify your fiddle and still sound natural? Or are you contemplating making a recording and would like to know more about the process? Tim has decades of experience both as a performer and an engineer and can give you expert advice on all aspects of fiddle sound processing from traditional fiddle playing to full-on rock. This workshop also includes a tour of Mareel’s state of the art recording studio. Tim Matthew has been playing fiddle since 1980 and since 1990 has toured the world in various bands. In the Scottish trad scene he was pioneering in his use of effects pedals, creating unique sounds form his home-made electric violin. He has since worked with a variety of trad, jazz and avant garde musicians as an ‘effects pedal consultant’ and is responsible for the design and maintenance of Lau’s pedalboards. Tim has also toured the world as a sound engineer – mostly working for Scottish trad bands. For the last 10 years he has been Lau’s sound engineer and is responsible for creating and developing their live sound. In addition to this, Tim works as recording engineer in Mareel Recording Studio. His 15 years experience of running a recording studio has given him valuable insight into recording techniques for all manner of acoustic instruments.

Ross couper & TOm OAKES ALBUM LAUNCH Wednesday 2 August, 6-7pm Mareel Café Bar

North Atlantic Fiddle Convention Saturday 5 August, 9.30am - 4.30pm Mareel Auditorium Founded in 2001, the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) is a cultural exchange and meeting place for artists, academics and enthusiasts. At its heart is a convention about fiddle performance and related dance from the cultures and diasporas of the North Atlantic region. The convention has taken place six times to date, in Aberdeen (2001, 2006 & 2010), in St John’s, Newfoundland (2008), in Derry/Londonderry (2012) and in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (2015). From 11th to 15th July 2018, NAFCo will return to its founding home of Aberdeen. As a curtain-raiser to this event, NAFCo is hosting a day of workshops at Shetland Fiddle Frenzy 2017. 9.30-10am Welcome and Introduction to NAFCo by Professor Ian Russell 10-11am Shetland Fiddlers’ Society and Shetland Folk Dance 11am-12pm Untwisting the Myths: Scottish dance history with Pat Ballantyne 1-2pm Fiddle Talk with Douglas Lawrence 2-3pm Set Dances and Step Dances Workshop with Pat Ballantyne 3-4.30pm Masterclass with Douglas Lawrence

Fiddle Love Sunday 6 August, 10.30am-12pm Mareel Fiddlemaker Kenny Johnson shares his top tips on fiddle purchase, repair, maintenance and amplification.

Fiddle Frenzy Concerts

Sunday 30 July OPENING CONCERT Welcome to Shetland Fiddle Frenzy 2017! Settle into a week of varied and entertaining music with leading local fiddlers. Featuring Haltadans, Kirsten Hendry & Andy Kain, Ceilidh Puckles and the High Level Orchestra. Continue the evening with a session in Mareel from 10pm.

Mareel

7.30pm ÂŁ18/ÂŁ16

Monday 31 July Shetland Showcase A very popular summer series of Monday evening events run by Islesburgh Community Centre. Shetland Showcase celebrates Shetland tradition music and includes displays of local arts and crafts.

Islesburgh

7.30pm

Tuesday 1 August CONCERT - ROSS COUPER & TOM OAKES A lively evening in Ollaberry Hall featuring the renowned fiddle and guitar duo Ross Couper and Tom Oakes, Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Club and a performance of the traditional Papa Stour Sword Dance! This will be followed by a session in the hall.

Ollaberry Hall

7.30pm £14/£12

Wednesday 2 August Concert - Rant Join RANT, Kansa and Shetland’s Heritage Fiddlers for an evening of vibrant sound. Sessions follow at Mareel and The Lounge from 10pm.

Mareel

7.30pm £18/£16

Thursday 3 August CONCERT - Salt House Another great line-up with Barry Nisbet & Friends, Young Fiddlers of the Year and Andrew Gifford & Grant Nicol. The rich sound of Salt House follows ahead of a session in Mareel from 10pm.

Mareel

7.30pm £20/£18

Friday 4 August CONCERT - Rack ‘n’ Ruin and Martha & Ewen Thomson A lively evening in Bressay Hall with Bernadette Porter, Jim Leask & Friends, Martha & Ewen Thomson and Rack ‘n’ Ruin. Old and new dances follow from Danse McCabre Ceilihd Band.

Bressay Hall

7.30pm £14/£12

Saturday 5 August Concert - Jenna Reid & Kevin MacKenzie A toe-tapping night of festival celebration. Hear Fiddle Frenzy students perform tunes they’ve rehearsed together under the musical leadership of Pauleen Wiseman. Enjoy a rousing performance by Hjaltibonhoga, Shetland Fiddlers of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Delight in intimate musical conversation between Peter Gear & Ewen Thomson, then Jenna Reid & Kevin MacKenzie. Finish the frenzy with a Mareel session from 10pm.

Mareel

7.30pm £18/£16

Sunday 6 August ‘Clewing Up’ Concert Fiddle Frenzy’s last hurrah! An afternoon of Shetland Reels, informal concert tunes by Maurice Henderson & Friends, and a farewell session from 1pm to 2pm. Everyone is warmly welcomed at this free event in Mareel’s Café Bar.

Mareel

12pm

Saturday Sets

All fiddle and guitar students are invited to perform at the Saturday 6th August evening concert in Mareel. Fiddle Frenzy tutor, Pauleen Wiseman, has composed and arranged sets specifically for this student performance. Tunes and recordings will be distributed by email before August and rehearsed during Fiddle Frenzy week.

Fiddle Frenzy Class of 2017 Pauleen Wiseman

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Tours Monday 31 July

Thursday 3 August

2-3pm Up-Helly-Aa Tour

10am-5pm Tune Tour: South Mainland

with 2017 Guizer Jarl, Lyall Gair. Discover the secrets of Shetland’s legendary fire festival in Lerwick’s Galley Shed.

A fragrant and fascinating insight into a Shetland social enterprise company.

Following the success of the inaugural 2016 Tune Tour of Lunnasting, this year we explore Shetland’s South Mainland in the company of expert guides and musicians, Lewie Peterson and Maurice Henderson. Visit places that have inspired tunes, hear background stories, play music there and take a photo as a souvenir! Return to Lerwick for an optional Lounge Bar tune, 4-5pm.

Tuesday 1 August

Friday 4 August

10am-4pm Geopark Shetland Tour

Between 10am and 4pm Walking Tours with Bressay History Group

3.30-4.30pm Shetland Soap Company Tour

with Robina Barton of Selkie Ventures See for yourself the rocks, sand and ‘volcano’ of a UNESCO Global Geopark. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Step back in time during a 1.5 hour walking tour which visits a tenth century graveyard, a broch, a fishing bothy, noosts and ruined water mills.

Wednesday 2 August

11am-3pm Noss Tour with Scottish Natural Heritage

7.30am-12.30pm Fishing Tour

Watch trading at Lerwick’s morning fish market then learn about fish farming from local expert, David Sandison.

Enjoy the flora, fauna and spectacular seabird cliffs of Noss National Nature Reserve in the company of an expert SNH guide (a reasonable level of fitness is required), or simply cross over to this magical island and enjoy its ambience independently.

4.30-6pm Fiddle Technology Workshop and Mareel Studio Tour with Tim Matthew of Shetland Arts

Saturday 5 August

Do you aspire to create a wall of sound using effects pedals or just want to know how to amplify your fiddle and still sound natural? Or are you contemplating making a recording and would like to know more about the process? Tim has decades of experience both as a performer and an engineer and can give you expert advice on all aspects of fiddle sound processing from traditional fiddle playing to full-on rock.

9am-12pm BBC Shetland Tour

Visit locations used in the BBC ‘Shetland’ TV series, based on novels by Ann Cleeves. Follow in the footsteps of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez and hear behind the scenes stories from local Locations Manager, Davie Gardner and local crime writer, Marsali Taylor.

1-5pm Tammy Anderson Tour

This workshop also includes a tour of Mareel’s state of the art recording studio.

Visit Eshaness, home to iconic late fiddler, Dr Tom Anderson. Knowledgeable tour guide and fiddler, Charlie Simpson, introduces the place that produced the founding father of the Shetland fiddle renaissance.

Sessions & Festival Club

Be part of the Frenzy Family

Playing in sessions is a huge part of any traditional music scene and Shetland is no exception. At Fiddle Frenzy we run a Festival Club at Mareel’s Upper Café Bar on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. This enables students to get together for an informal tune, or just sit back and enjoy the sound. Local musicians will be on hand to keep tunes flowing.

Whether attending as part of a group, family or as an individual, we’re keen to create an inclusive experience for all at Fiddle Frenzy. Through a variety of social options from concerts, to sight-seeing trips, to the Festival Club to tea & coffee breaks, we encourage everybody to get to know their fellow students during the week.

An informal session will take place in Ollaberry Hall, following Tuesday evening’s concert.

Volunteers

A farewell session will run in Mareel Café Bar from 1pm - 2pm on Sunday 6th August. This is a popular time to say goodbye and play out the week.

A team of friendly volunteers will be on hand throughout the week to help with any questions. Based in Mareel’s foyer, they also run the Frenzy shop, selling CDs, books, t-shirts and more. If you’d like to volunteer at Fiddle Frenzy, email fiddle.frenzy@shetlandarts.org for more information.

Venues

Travel & Accommodation

Fiddle Frenzy is based in Shetland’s main town, Lerwick. On all days except Tuesday and Friday, most classes take place in the beautiful Hay’s Dock area on Lerwick’s historic waterfront within Mareel, Shetland’s purpose built music venue and cinema which opened in 2012, and the neighbouring Shetland Museum & Archives. On Tuesday we head north to the picturesque village of Ollaberry, and on Friday we sail east to the island of Bressay, a short trip across the water from Lerwick.

Because we are a small team, we’re unfortunately unable to coordinate travel and accommodation bookings for our students. Before signing up for the Frenzy, please be aware that travel and accommodation costs are not included in package costs. We are, however, happy to guide you to local agencies who can help. While Shetland’s remoteness is one of its most endearing features, travelling to the islands can be a challenging part of the Frenzy experience! From the Scottish mainland, there are two options:

By air www.flybe.com Flybe airlines operate daily flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness (via Orkney). Flights land at Sumburgh airport, on the southernmost tip of Shetland’s mainland, a 40min car/bus journey from Lerwick.

OLLABERRY

BY SEA www.northlinkferries.co.uk

LERWICK

Northlink Ferries provide a daily car ferry service to/from Aberdeen. They leave Aberdeen at either 5pm (if travelling via Orkney) or at 7pm (direct to Shetland) and arrive in Shetland at 7.30am the following morning in Lerwick.

BRESSAY

Accommodation www.shetlandvisitor.com Fiddle Frenzy is based in Lerwick, Shetland’s main town, where hotel, bed & breakfast, self catering and hostel accommodation is available. We recommend that you book accommodation as early as possible, given the summer months are a busy time in Shetland.

Keep up to date

www.shetlandarts.org/fiddle-frenzy www.facebook.com/fiddlefrenzy