ARTS ORGANISATION OFFERS NEW SERVICE TO SUPPORT MUSIC LEARNING FROM HOME

In a bid to support people, of all ages, with their learning and practicing of traditional music and Gaelic skills at home during lockdown, leading arts organisation, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, has launched a new online music tuition service, which will be free of charge to all.

Under the banner of FèisTV and with funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise, a video series of traditional music lessons, at different levels, has been created in Gaelic and English to support those with no Gaelic, learners of the language and fluent Gaelic speakers. The Oide (meaning tutor in Gaelic) series currently offers lessons in accordion, fiddle and Gaelic song, with more instruments available soon, thanks to further funding from the Scottish Government.

The lessons, which are suitable for all ages and abilities, are led by some of the most experienced traditional music tutors in the country, including accordionist Ian Smith from popular folk band, Trail West, fiddler Robbie Grieg, who plays with electronic folk band, INYAL, and singers James Graham, Eilidh Cormack (a member of female singing trio, SIAN) and Deirdre Graham.

With more than 70 video lessons at levels appropriate for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners, this resource will provide something for everyone, allowing people to continue their musical creativity or even learn a new skill during lockdown.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chief Executive, Arthur Cormack, said: “It was always our plan to develop our FèisTV resource to offer online music lessons in addition to live streaming of events.  Normally these lessons will be part of a paid subscription service, but we are delighted to offer this new service for free at this time whilst people are safely at home and looking for activities to keep themselves going.  We are grateful to the funders who have enabled us to develop this resource.”

Laura Nicolson, Project Officer at Fèisean nan Gàidheal explained: “As part of the new programme #cleachdiaigantaigh, in which we are involved together with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhlig and other Gaelic organisations, Fèisean nan Gàidheal will deliver more live events online in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, we hope people will get some enjoyment and new skills from the Oide video lessons.”

Steven Kellow, Funding & Project Officer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “We welcome this resource which is extremely useful in supporting music tuition through the medium of Gaelic. Fèisean nan Gàidheal and other groups have been working hard to produce resources through the #cleachdiaigantaigh / #useitathome initiative and we are grateful for the creative opportunities like this they have delivered at this challenging time.”

The Oide video lessons can be found online at https://tv.feisean.org.

LEASANAN ÙRA AIR-LOIDHNE GU BHITH AN-ASGAIDH AIG AN ÀM SEO

Chaidh Oide, an t-seirbheis ùr ionnsachaidh aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal, a chur fo sheòl.  Fo bhratach FèisTV, le maoin bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, Alba Chruthachail agus HIE, chaidh sreath leasanan ciùil a chruthachadh aig diofar ìrean agus le taghadh an dèanamh sa Ghàidhlig no sa Bheurla.

Anns a’ chiad dol a-mach tha leasanan ann air a’ bhogsa-ciùil, air an fhidheall agus seinn sa Ghàidhlig. Ri linn taic-airgid a bharrachd bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba, bidh leasanan eile air tuilleadh ionnsramaidean a’ nochdadh a dh’aithghearr.

Tha luchd-teagaisg aithnichte a’ toirt seachad na leasanan, nam measg Iain Mac a’ Ghobhainn bho Trail West air a’ bhogsa, Robbie Greig air an fhidheall agiu na seinneadairean Seumas Greumach, Eilidh NicCarmaig agus Deirdre Ghreumach.

Thuirt Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Art MacCarmaig: “Bha e riamh nar beachd goireas FèisTV a leudachadh gus leasanan a thabhann.  San àbhaist bidh aig luchd-cleachdaidh pàigheadh airson nan leasanan ach tha sinn toilichte an t-seirbheis ùr a thabhann an-asgaidh aig an àm seo fhad ‘s a daoine gan cumail fhèin sàbhailte aig an taigh agus a’ sireadh ghnìomhan a chumas a’ dol iad.  Tha sinn fada an comain nam buidhnean maoineachaidh a chuidich sinn seo a leasachadh.”

Mhìnich Laura NicNeacail, Oifigear Phròiseactan Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Mar phàirt den sgeama ùr #cleachdiaigantaigh anns a bheil sinn an sàs le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhlig agus buidhnean eile, bidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ lìbhrigeadh barrachd thachartasan beò air-loidhne sna seachdainean a tha romhainn.  Ach bidh beàrnan fhathast ri lìonadh agus tha sinn an dòchas gum faigh daoine tlachd agus eòlas bho bhideothan Oide.”

Thuirt Steven Kellow, Oifigear Maoineachaidh ‘s Phròiseactan air Bòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha sinn a’ cur fàilte chridheil air a’ ghoireas seo is e air leth feumail ann a bhith a’ cur taic ri ionnsachadh ceòl tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.  Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal is buidhnean eile air a bhith ag obair gu cruaidh gus goireasan a chruthachadh tron iomairt #cleachdiaigantaigh is sinn nan comann airson cothroman cruthachail a thoirt seachad do dhaoine aig an àm dhùbhlanach seo.”

Le tuilleadh air 70 bhideo aig ìrean freagarrach do luchd-tòiseachaidh, eadar-mheadhanaich agus adhartach – bidh goireas ann don a h-uile duine a tha airson nan cuspairean sin ionnsachadh le tuilleadh ri thighinn ann an ùine nach bi fada.

Gheibhear na leasanan Oide air-loidhne aig tv.feisean.org.