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Fiddle Frenzy, Shetland Arts' fiddle school and festival, will run from the 4th to the 10th of August this year. The weeklong event combines fiddle tutoring and concerts with tours of Shetland and cultural experiences.
60 students from around the world enrolled in the fiddle school last year with hundreds more people attending the Fiddle Frenzy tours, events and concerts.
Most days start with fiddle school workshops hosted by some of Shetland's finest fiddlers, followed by a choice of trips and activities around Shetland, finishing up with an evening concert; all leading to a late night session or two!
This years packed programme includes concerts by The Jenna Reid Band; Catriona McDonald with Annbjorg Lein; Bryan Gear with Violet Tulloch; Drop The Box; The Jim Halcrow Dance Band; The Shetland Fiddlers; Leeshinaat; The Alan Gifford Quartet; Fullscelidh Spelemannslag; Fradenr Gamla; The Heritage Fiddlers and the winners of the annual Young Fiddler of the Year competition.
The regular Sunday afternoon concert that takes a historical slant will focus on fiddler and composer Gideon Stove, hosted by local music historian Charlie Simpson.
The fiddle school gives students a unique opportunity to learn the skills and traditions of the Shetland fiddle style from some of its foremost exponents. Tutors this year will include Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch; Catriona McDonald; Jenna Reid; Eunice Henderson with Pauleen Wiseman; Bernadette Porter with Jim Leask; Mark Laurenson and Annbjorg Lien, who will run a Norwegian fiddling class in Unst on Friday Morning.
Guitar accompaniment workshops will be held by John Hutchison and Kevin Mackenzie, who plays with Jenna Reid and Scottish Guitar Quartet.
Tutoring is done by ear and students are split into learning categories to ensure they are at a level that suits their needs. Classes comprise of group workshops and individual 'wan to wan's' with additional help available to those who need it.
Due to the popularity of storytelling sessions held during previous Fiddle Frenzy events, this year the fledgling Shetland Storytelling Festival has been created to run in parallel.
Bookings for this year's Fiddle Frenzy are now being taken. Places are limited so early booking is strongly advised.
The full programme can be found on the Fiddle Frenzy website www.shetlandfiddlefrenzy.com or you can get in touch with Shetland Arts on 01595 743 843
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