AIYF is now in its 43^rd year, and aims to bring a diverse multi-arts programme of events to venues in Aberdeen and the North-east through both the Main and Extended Festival programmes. The festival’s commitment to providing a range of traditional music continues this year with week-long summer courses and exciting concerts at a range of venues. For full event listings visit www.aiyf.org or download the brochure.

Canadian string ensemble Coastline is comprised of 15 of British Columbia’s top young musicians aged 13-18, mentored by internationally acclaimed fiddle player Ivonne Hernandez. The group perform intricate arrangements of traditional, original and contemporary fiddle tunes from around the world. Have a look at their amazing work here.

On Monday, 27^th July Coastline will be joining forces with familiar faces at AIYF, the North East Folk Collective. Formed by local Aberdeen fiddle player Sharon Hassan in 2009, the collective has the aim of encouraging young people to learn and engage with traditional music. A voluntary initiative, the aim is to pass on skills and knowledge. The group has performed at a number of festivals including Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Stonehaven Folk Festival. You can see them performing here.

Also taking part in AIYF 2015 is the long-standing Fèis Rois National Ceilidh Trail. The Ceilidh Trail gives people across the country the chance to hear top-quality traditional music. Fèis Rois allows young people aged 16-25 to develop their performance skills, and is specifically tailored to traditional music. The project runs across Scotland from 18^th July to the 15^th of August. To find out more, visit the Fèis Rois website.

Making the journey from Glasgow to AIYF this year is Routes String Quartet, a band formed by four music students who came together as a group in 2014. Emma Tomlinson (Viola), Gráinne Brady (Violin), Tricia Mullan (Violin) and Rufus Merlin-Huggan (Cello) aim to combine the intimate and virtuoso qualities of a string quartet with a modern take on traditional folk music. The members have varied backgrounds in Scottish, Irish, English folk and classical traditions. To find out more about the group visit their website.

Concert dates:

Coastline:

• Sunday, 26^th July, 3pm: Victoria Hall, Ballater
• Monday, 27^th July (With North East Folk Collective). 8pm, Blue Lamp
• Thursday, 30^th July, 7.30pm: Stonehaven Town Hall

Fèis Rois:

• Thursday, 23^rd July, 7.30pm: Braemar Village Hall
• Tuesday, 28^th July, 7.30pm: Portsoy, Salmon Bothy
• Thursday, 30^th July, 2-4pm: St Cyrus Nature Reserve, Laurencekirk
• Thursday, 30^th July, 7.30pm: Dickson Hall, Laurencekirk

Routes String Quartet:

• Friday, 31^st July, 8.30pm: Lemon Tree

For information about all the performances, including ticket and venue information, pick up a festival brochure or visit our website, or Tel: 01224 213 800.