From: Fèisean nan Gàidheal [naidheachdan_at_feisean_dot_org]
Sent: 19 March 2007 16:29
Subject: Primary Schools enjoy the benefits of the Youth Music Initiative

Attachments: YMI Inverness.doc; ICO Inbhir Nis.doc; YMIImages.zip
PRESS RELEASE        
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
[Scroll down for Gaelic version and notes – Word versions attached]

Inverness Primary Schools enjoy the benefits of the Youth Music Initiative


Primary pupils across the Inverness and Nairn area have been involved recently in experiencing traditional music in their schools though the Highland Council’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI).  The initiative, contracted by the Council to Fèisean nan Gaidheal and co-ordinated in those areas by Dingwall-based Fèis Rois, has even helped one primary school in Inverness prepare for their 50th anniversary this year.

Dalneigh Primary School is due to mark its fiftieth anniversary in November and thought it would be appropriate to have a tune commissioned to assist in their on-going plans.  With help from the Youth Music Initiative, professional local musicians Dagger Gordon and Calum MacCrimmon wrote a special composition, which the children have been learning in their group-work YMI sessions. Currently under the working title of ‘The Dalneigh Bells’, pupils and staff are hoping to perform at a celebratory concert in November.

And likewise, children in all 184 primary schools across the Highlands have been experiencing traditional music from some of the most experienced and acknowledged artists in their profession, many of whom are graduates from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.  Tuition has also been offered through the medium of Gaelic, using tutors fluent in the language.

Mrs Clunas, Head Teacher at Dalneigh Primary School is fully supportive of this initiative: “I think YMI is great and the children are really enjoying it. The initiative has given them both a traditional and musical experience which they take great pleasure in.  This is down to the very enthusiastic tutors we have had.  They make the children feel very good about the music and playing an instrument that they might not get the chance to play in other circumstances.  YMI and our 50th anniversary project has given the children ownership of the music and they really think it’s great.“

Working on behalf of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Rae MacEachern is the organisation’s YMI Co-ordinator for Highland.  She added: “The YMI project in Dalneigh is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through this initiative. It is due to the schools in the area being willing to take this on and making it work within their own tight curriculum that has made the delivery of YMI such a success.  Added to that, the quality of delivery through the outstanding tutors and local fèisean has been remarkable, and long may it continue”.
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Bun-sgoiltean Inbhir Nis a’ faighinn tlachd às an Iomairt Ciùil Òigridh


Tha clann bho gach bun-sgoil air feadh sgìrean Inbhir Nis agus Inbhir Nàrann air pàirt a ghabhail bho chionn ghoirid ann an ceòl traidiseanta tron Iomairt Ciùil Òigridh (ICO). ‘Se Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a dh’iarr air Fèisean nan Gàidheal am prògram traidiseanta seo a thoirt seachad, le sgioba Fèis Rois a’ cur an iomairt air dòigh anns na sgìrean seo.  Tha an ICO cuideachd air taic a thoirt do bhun-sgoil shònraichte ann an Inbhir Nis, airson na leth-cheudamh bliadhna aca a’ chomharrachadh.

Tha Bun-sgoil Dhalneigh ann an Inbhir Nis an dùil cuirm-chiùil shònraichte a’ chur air dòigh anns an t-Samhain am bliadhna, gus leth-cheud bliadhna a’ chomharrachadh ‘san sgoil aca.  Bha iad den bheachd gum biodh e freagarrach pìos ciùil a sgrìobhadh tron ICO, fonn a bhios a’ chlann ag ionnsachadh agus ga chluich aig a’ chonsairt.  Le seo, sgrìobh an luchd-ciùil proifeiseanta Dagger Gòrdan agus Calum MacCruimein ‘The Dalneigh Bells’, agus tha iad air a bhi ga theagasg tro chlasaichean ICO thairis air an teirm seo.

Tha ICO air a bhi a’ tachairt anns gach bun-sgoil – 184 dhiubh - air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. Tha a’ mhòr-chuid den luchd-teagaisg nan cluicheadairean proifeiseanta, feadhainn dhiubh a th’ air a’ thighinn tron RSAMD ann an Glaschu.  Far a bheil e comasach, tha an oideachadh air a dhèanamh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, a’ cleachdadh luchd-ciùil a tha fileanta ‘sa chànan.

Tha a’ Bh-ph Clunas, Ceannard Bun-sgoil Dhalneigh, gu math taiceil dhan phròiseict.  Thuirt i: “Tha ICO a còrdadh ris a’ chloinn gu mòr. Tha an iomairt air cothrom a thoirt dhaibh eòlas fhaighinn air ceòl agus cultar traidiseanta.  Tha an luchd-ciùil air leth èifeachdach ann a bhith a’ brosnachadh na cloinne pàirt a ghabhail agus grèim fhaighinn air a cheòl, agus ‘se rud math a tha sin”

Thuirt Rae Nic Eachearna, co-òrdanaiche ICO Fhèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha am pròiseact ICO seo ann an Dalneigh na eisimpleir air cho soirbheachail ‘sa tha an iomairt air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. ‘S ann air sgath an co-obrachadh eadar sgoiltean, an luchd-ciùil agus sgioba ICO a tha seo ag obair, agus gur fada a mhaireas e”.

CRÌOCH

****NOTES****

Background  
The Youth Music Initiative (YMI) was established by the Scottish Executive in 2004, with the pledge to ‘ensure that by 2006, every primary school pupil should have access to at least one year’s free music tuition by the time they reach Primary 6’.

YMI is a Scotland-wide initiative administered by the Scottish Arts Council, with Fèisean nan Gàidheal contracted by the Highland Council to deliver the traditional programme of the YMI in its area.  Co-ordination of programming the initiative locally has been passed to local fèisean in the Highland Council area, including Fèis Rois, which runs the programme in Inverness, Nairn, Ross-shire and Sutherland.

Fèisean nan Gaidheal is the national association of Gaelic arts tuition festivals, supporting 45 fèisean across the country, offering tuition in Gaelic arts and alngauge to over 11,000 young people annually.

Fèis means festival, with Fèisean being the plural means festivals. Please remember to use the accents in these words.

Contact:
Chris DePlano, Marketing & Communications
Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Portree
Isle of Skye

Tel: 01478 61 33 55 (switchboard)
Tel: 01478 61 40 03 (direct)
Mob: 0773 914 34 34

Photos:
Three are attached in a ZIP file, at 300 dpi resolution.  All photos are © Gordon Willoughby, commissioned by Fèisean nan Gàidheal for public use. Please use the credit ‘Photograph by Gordon Willoughby’ if you use the image/s.


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Fèisean nan Gàidheal
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