Published on:
07
April 2006
Clackmannanshire will host a true Scottish music extravaganza this summer when the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra comes to the county.
The Devon Equestrian Centre will be the venue for the concert which will involve around 100 fiddlers from all over Scotland. The concert, on Saturday 17th June, 2006, will be hosted by Jim McColl, of Beechgrove Garden fame.
The fiddlers will play a variety of well known tunes producing an amazing wall of sound that will thrill any listener.
The event is a joint initiative between Clackmannanshire Council and Alloa Rotary, who will to raise funds for Play Alloa through ticket sales for the event.
Councillor Bobby McGill, Rotary President Ivor Barber and Scottish Fiddle Orchestra leader Bill Cook will be at the Equestrian Centre at 11am on Tuesday 11th April. You are invited to send a photographer.
Mr Barber said: "We were looking for ways to raise funds for Play Alloa and came up with the idea of a fiddle concert. We were delighted when Sheila Bulloch suggested using the Equestrian Centre. The view that it is a perfect venue has been echoed by members of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. Getting 100 musicians on stage is something special and I'm sure we will have no trouble selling our target of 1400 tickets."
Councillor Bobby McGill added: "I am delighted this event is being staged in Clackmannanshire. It will be a great opportunity for traditional Scottish music fans from near and far to see what Clackmannanshire has to offer while enjoying an amazing evening of music. I hope this will be the first of many such events."
The musicians will be conducted by John M. Mason, musical director of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, one of Scotland's foremost traditional music organisations.
Orchestra leader Bill Cook, who lives in Clackmannan, is well known in traditional Scottish fiddling circles. A local violin teacher for over 30 years, he takes part in many of the local musical activities such as the Alloa Players. He is also the conductor of The Stirling Caledonian Strathspey and Reel Society and is involved with the country dance band scene.
He said: "It's wonderful that we're bringing the SFO to Clackmannanshire. I know there are a lot of fans of our music locally who are sure to come along, as well as a wider following across the country. We usually play seven concerts a year, but these are always in the cities, so this will be a bit special, especially as it's on my doorstep."
The event will be licensed, and the evening will begin with an outside barbecue from 5pm.
Leisure Services manager Sheila Bulloch said: "The Equestrian Centre is the perfect venue for this sort of event with parking for up to 1,000 cars. People will be able to sit outside and enjoy a barbecue 'supper' before going indoors for an evening of fantastic Scottish fiddle music."
Tickets for the concert will be available to buy via ClacksWeb.