Teaching packages for Shetland Arts’ annual Fiddle Frenzy festival, taking place 31st July - 7th August, will go on sale on Monday 1 February. This year will see the first of a 3 year term for new curators Eunice Henderson & Claire White, both highly respected teachers and performers of Shetland fiddle.
Eunice & Claire said “We are both very excited at the opportunity to curate Fiddle Frenzy over the next 3 years. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to tutor and perform at previous Frenzy years and will be great to extend that experience by designing a whole week of Shetland culture for attendees. We invite you all to join us for a feast of music and fun in August.”
The fiddle tutors confirmed for 2016 are: Andrew Gifford, Debbie Scott, Catriona Macdonald, Lois Nicol, Kaela Jamieson, Mary Rutherford, Kirsten Hendry and Maggie Adamson.
Plans for other music workshops, including guitar accompaniment, are still being finalised and will be announced in the coming weeks. These will go on sale alongside tickets for individual concerts, on Tuesday 1st March.
Creative Fringe classes will again be on offer, curated by local artists Amy Fisher and Ana Arnett.
Shetland Arts’ Lynda Anderson said: “Fiddle Frenzy, now in its 13th year, is a great opportunity for us all to celebrate our unique fiddle tradition. Students travel from around the world to learn the tunes & techniques of the famed Shetland style, from our local fiddlers, and here in the islands themselves, where the landscapes and culture bear such a significance on the tradition. It is an opportunity too for local players to immerse themselves in an intense week of learning, with some tutors who may be new to them. Nightly concerts, traditional dances and tours also take place across the week. We remind everyone that spaces on classes are limited so early booking is recommended to secure a place.”
The Full Frenzy (access to all classes, tours, evening concerts and events) costs £425/£325 and The Half Frenzy (access to all classes and other day-time activities) costs £350/£275. Both packages go on sale on Monday 1 February at 2pm. Booking is via Shetland Box Office at Mareel or Islesburgh, over the phone on 01595 745 555, or online at shetlandboxoffice.org or mareel.org. More info can be found at shetlandarts.org/fiddlefrenzy
