Published: 08 May 2018
Eight organisations from across Scotland have received funding awards of between £10,646 and £19,615 from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - Youth Talent Development Fund, administered by Creative Scotland.
The fund, which celebrates the Year of Young People 2018, was established from the charitable giving of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, aiming to nurture the ambition, enthusiasm and talent of exceptional young artists (aged 8-26) engaged in traditional music and dance – focusing on piping, drumming, Highland dance and traditional fiddle playing.
These projects will provide young dancers and musicians with the opportunity to build their skills and technique across a range of artforms.- Philip Deverell, Director, Strategy
Working across two communities in Angus (Kirriemuir) and Argyll & Bute (Port Charlotte, Islay) the Traditional Music Forum has received funding to work with 11-26-year-olds to develop traditional music skills.
The Rothesay & District Pipe Band has received funding to work with young people in the area to showcase their piping and drumming talents by performing in a mini tattoo for the local community.
The National Piping Centre will use its funding to present the Inverness Musical Development Camp as well as educational outreach for pipers and drummers, led by senior members of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (NYPBoS).
Alisdair L McLaren, Director, National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland said: "As Director of the NYPBoS we are very excited about our up and coming camp in Inverness and are looking forward to meeting many new young aspiring pipers and drummers not only in the region but from all over the country. Hopefully we can INSPIRE each and everyone one of them to further develop their musical skills and one to day be ambassadors for piping and drumming in their local communities."
Braemar-based St Margaret’s Trust has received funding to bring award-winning young musicians to the area to inspire and instruct local young musicians.
The Edinburgh-based Amanda Kane School of Dance will provide opportunities to local young people to learn traditional highland dance and display their skills at the International Gathering of Scottish Highland Dance in November 2018.
The Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) has received funding to run a national traditional music session programme for young people aged 18-26.
TMSA Convener, Fiona Campbell said: “We would like to thank the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Youth Talent Development Fund for this opportunity to help young musicians develop their skills and abilities through taking part in our ‘Grow Your Own Music Sessions’ Project. We are looking forward to helping celebrate Scotland’s Year of Young People through local activity that will be free and open to all, as we want as many people as possible, especially other young musicians, singers and dancers, to experience the fun of traditional music and song across the country.”
The Aberdeen-based Elphinstone Institute will use its funding to host a Youth Fiddle Camp during the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, 11-15 July 2018.
On Uist, Ceolas Uibhist has received funding to create a new piece of work combining piping, highland dance, drumming and fiddle.
Rucelle Soutar, Head of Finance at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “Traditional music and dance are etched into the fabric of the Tattoo and we are passionate advocates for keeping its legacy alive in Scotland.
“The purpose of the Fund was to widen the Tattoo’s contribution and influence towards finding the next generation of traditional musicians and dancers. Our support will help a number of incredible projects deliver fun, engaging and most importantly, educational sessions that will instil future generations with a love of the field.
“The successful candidates are particularly fitting as the Tattoo’s 2018 show, ‘Sky’s the Limit’ will celebrate youth and encourage youngsters to unleash their potential. We’re looking forward to hearing about the impact of the financial support throughout the year.”
Philip Deverell, Director, Strategy at Creative Scotland said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the pilot for a fund that celebrates the talents of young people across the Traditional Arts. The projects supported will provide young dancers and musicians with the opportunity to build their skills and technique across a range of artforms and celebrate their achievements within their local communities and further afield.”
The organisations and awards are:
The Tattoo has donated over £10M to Services and Arts organisations since 1950.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo first performed in 1950 and is 68 years old this year. The event has sold out for the last 19 consecutive years. The Tattoo is performed to a live audience of 220,000 annually on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle with a further global TV audience of +100M. Performers from 50 countries have taken part.
In 2010, the event was renamed The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo after Her Majesty The Queen bestowed the Royal title in honour of its 60th birthday. HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, is the Patron of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo generates £77M annually for the Scottish economy with a further £30M in full-time employment equivalent
The Tattoo has performed overseas on four occasions, most recently Australia and New Zealand in February 2016. Over 240,000 tickets were sold and the shows delivered a combined estimate of £50M gross economic impact to the cities of Melbourne and Wellington
The Tattoo has embarked on a course of a Strategy for Growth with an ambition to become a global events and production company, and double turnover by 2025
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
The Year of Young People 2018 is an opportunity to celebrate young personalities, talents, and achievers that make-up Scotland. The year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they’re made of. For more information, visit the website here: http://yoyp2018.scot/
Eilidh Walker, Media Relations & PR Assistant
Creative Scotland
Email: eilidh.walker@creativescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0) 131 523 0019
Switchboard: +44 (0) 330 333 2000
