A successful Fèis nan Deugairean – Teenage Fèis – run by Fèisean Lochabair was held last week in Lochaber High School, with 15 participants taking part in the three day event.

Teenagers took part in traditional Fèis classes – fiddle, clàrsach, accordion, singing, keyboard, guitar, chanter and whistle.  Each day ended with a two-hour group session where all participants gathered along with tutors to create new sets for the final event on Monday afternoon.

The sessions gave the teenagers experience in playing and singing with fellow musicians and increased confidence in performing within a group.  The sessions also gave the teenagers a flavour of the expertise required to participate in band situations, such as the Lochaber Cèilidh Trail project.  This is a successful enterprise run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal and Fèisean Lochabair, which gives young adults in thelocal area the opportunity to undertake training, showcase their musical abilities and experience touring as a band for during the summer months.

Tutors at the Fèis included locally-based musicians Ingrid Henderson, Angus Binnie, Coll MacDonald and Sìleas Sinclair.  Vicky MacLean from Sgioba-G, the Gàidhlig team from Fèisean nan Gàidheal, taught Gàidhlig and Media each day, resulting in a brilliant short film created by the teenagers themselves.

Ingrid Hendrson, a local musician with an international reputation, commented on the Fèis: “It’s great to see how keen, willing and eager the teenagers are to learn.  There’s great talent in Lochaber and it’s brilliant to see that the teenagers are willing to give up their time to be part of an event like this.”

The Fèis was funded with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig – Community Roots Fund and exceptional support was given by Fèis committee members and members of the community during the Fèis.

The Fèis ended with an informal Cèilidh on Monday afternoon, with the teenagers playing together for friends and family.  Maria MacInnes, Fèisean nan Gàidheal Development Officer for Lochaber Fèisean thanked all the participants, committee members and members of the community who had supported Fèis nan Deugairean.  She said: “A great weekend was had by all, with the teenagers already asking about Fèis nan Deugairean 2012!”

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Le 15 deugairean a’ gabhail pàirt an t-seachdain sa chaidh, bha Fèis nan Deugairean, air a ruith le Fèisean Lochabair, uabhasach soirbheachail.  Chaidh a cur air dòigh thairis air trì làithean ann an Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar.

Bha na deugairean a’ gabhail pàirt ann an clasaichean traidiseanta Fèise – fidheall, clàrsach, bogsa-ciùil, seinn, meur-chlàr, giotàr, feadan agus fìdeag.  Chrìochnaich gach latha le dà uair a thìde de sheasanan buidhne, far an robh na compàirtichean air fad a’ tighinn còmhla ris an luchd-teagaisg airson seataichean ciùil a chur ri chèile airson tachartas feasgar Diluain.

Thug na seasanan cothrom do na deugairean eòlas fhaighinn air a bhith a’ cluich còmhla ri luchd-ciùil eile agus ag àrdachadh am misneachd a bhith a’ cluich ann an còmhlain.

Thug na seasanan cuideachd blasad do na deugairean air an eirmiseachd a bhiodh an dùil bhuapa nam biodh iad a’ gabhail pàirt ann an còmhlan proifeiseanta, no anns a’ phròiseact Cèilidhean air Chuairt, iomairt shoirbheachail air a ruith le Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus Fèisean Lochabair.  Tha seo a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine òga anns an sgìre trèanadh fhaighinn agus na sgìlean ciùil aca a’ thaisbeanadh tro mhìosan an t-Samhraidh.

Bha Ingrid NicEanraig, Aonghas Binne, Colla MacDhòmhnaill agus Sìleas Nic na Ceardaich am measg luchd-teagaisg ionadail na Fèise.  Bha Vicky NicGilleathain, à Sgioba Gàidhlig Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, a’ teagasg Gàidhlig agus obair nam meadhanan gach latha, a’ crìochnachadh le fiolm air leth a chruthaich na deugairean fhèin.

Thug Ingrid NicEanraig, neach-teagasg ionadail le cliù eadar-nàiseanta, seachad a beachd mun Fhèis: “Tha e luachmhor fhaicinn cho dèidheil, deònach agus èasgaidh ’s a tha na deugairean air a bhith ann a bhith ag ionnsachadh sgilean ùra.  Tha tàlant air leth ann an Loch Abar agus tha e uabhasach math gu bheil na deugairean deònach an ùine aca a chur seachad aig tachartas den t-seòrsa seo.”

Chaidh an Fhèis a mhaoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig – Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd, agus chaidh taic mhòr a chumail ris an tachartas le muinntir comataidh na Fèise agus daoine sa choimhearsnachd.

Chrìochnaich an Fhèis le Cèilidh bheag air feasgar Diluain, far an robh na deugairean air fad a’ cluich airson càirdean agus caraidean.  Thug Maria NicAonghais, Oifigear Leasachaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal airson Fèisean Lochabair, taing do na compàirtichean, don chomataidh agus do na daoine sa choimhearsnachd a thug taic don Fhèis.  Thuirt i: “Bha deireadh sheachdain uabhasach math aig a h-uile duine, leis na deugairean a’ faighneachd mu dheidhinn Fèis nan Deugairean 2012 mu thràth!”

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal