Read the latest news from Feis Rois:

Celtic Connections

The Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail is performing alongside a group of young musicians from Glasgow/Irish group, Comhaltas at this year’s Celtic Connections. The concert is at 2pm on Saturday 21st January 2012 in the Strathclyde Suite of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Tickets cost £11 and are available from the Box office on 0141 353 8000 or online at www.celticconnections.com

Full details of the concert can be found here: http://www.celticconnections.com/whatson/event/119614-Feis-Rois-and-Comhaltas

New Feis Rois DVD

Fèis Rois closed its 25th anniversary year with an amazing line-up of musicians at a very special concert in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on 11th November 2011. Having spent a week in residence with some of Scotland’s most celebrated tradition bearers, eleven young musicians perform alongside Aonghas Grant, Rona Lightfoot, Kenna Campbell, John Carmichael and Fergie MacDonald.

The second half of the concert featured 25 people who, between them, represent the 25 years of Fèis Rois. They include Musical Director, Corrina Hewat, performing alongside Rachel Walker, Fraya Thomsen, Rachel Newton, Louise Mackenzie, Olivia Ross, Gillian Stevenson, Ronan Martin, Lauren MacColl, Fiona Dalgetty, Mairearad Green, John Somerville, Angus Binnie, Mike Bryan, Barry Reid, Colin McLean, Ruairaidh Campbell and young musicians currently attending Fèis Rois classes and workshops. They are joined by poet, Aonghas MacNeacail.

You can purchase a DVD of this concert for £10 plus £1.50 P&P by visiting www.feisrois.org.

Weekly Classes for young people

Please remember to enrol and pay online for the new term of classes starting next week (week beginning 16th January 2012).

Full details of classes in Avoch, Evanton, Lochcarron and Ullapool can be found by visiting www.feisrois.org and clicking on “Weekly Classes (P5-S6)” on the panel on the left-hand side of the homepage. This is a 10 week term running from 16th January to 30th March 2012.

Music Box at Inverness Caley Thistle

In addition to the regular programme of weekly classes, Feis Rois also has a special music project running in partnership with the SPL and Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club. Music Box is open to secondary school pupils only. After an initial 6-weeek pilot project, they have tweaked the project so that they will be now be offering the following workshops for free on a Monday evening from 16th January onwards…

6.00PM – 6.45PM – Beginners – An opportunity to learn to play guitar, keyboard, percussion and vocals

7.00PM – 8.30PM – Advanced Performance Group. With a focus on traditional music, any musician playing to an upper intermediate or advanced level is welcome to come along. Feis Rois hope that this will grow into a year-round version of groupwork at the Senior Fèis so make sure you come along and join in the music-making fun! There will be lots of performance opportunities throughout the year.

For more details, or to reserve a place, please phone the office on 01349 86 2600 or e-mail fiona.dalgetty@feisrois.org

Weekly Classes for Adults

Feis Rois still have some spaces available on their new programme of workshops aimed at adult learners.

Starting on Wednesday 18 January 2012 and running for 10 weeks… A slow jam led by Bob Massie in the bar at Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall from 8 – 10pm. This is an informal opportunity for adult learners to get together to share and learn songs and tunes. All instruments and ability levels welcome. Free! No need to book!

Starting on Thursday 19 January 2012 and running for 10 weeks… A range of fiddle classes with Gillian Stevenson (Rhythm n Reel) to suit all levels of experience at Dingwall Community Centre.

Complete Beginners, 6.30pm – 7.15pm, £60 for the term Improvers, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, £70 for the term Intermediate +, 8.30pm – 9.30pm, £70 for the term

Starting on Monday 13th February 2012 and running for 7 weeks… New workshops led by Val Bryan at the Macphail Centre, Ullapool Complete Beginners Guitar, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, £49 for the term Beginning to Play Together, 7.45pm – 8.45pm, £49 for the term
Book any of these classes online at www.feisrois.org

Sing Out – A new programme of monthly singing workshops for adults. Fèis Rois is delighted to let you know that they are launching a new programme of monthly singing workshops for adults. This is one strand of the new Lifelong Learning project supported by the Jubilee People’s Millions.

The workshops include Gaelic, Scots and Harmony song.
All workshops cost £15 and run from 11am to 4pm with a one hour break for lunch.
Pay on the day for each workshop but please reserve a place in advance by calling 01349 86 2600 or emailing morag.mcdonald@feisrois.org
Tea and coffee are provided. Bring your own packed lunch.
No previous knowledge of Gaelic is needed for the Gaelic singing workshops

Saturday 25th February 2012
Two of the Mackenzie sisters, Fiona and Eilidh Mackenzie, both highly thought of singer/songwriters, will lead you in sparkling Gaelic harmony singing
Venue: Strathpeffer Community Centre

Saturday 31st March 2012
Join Siobhan Miller, gifted young traditional singer (Traditional Scots Singer of the Year at the Trad Awards 2011) in a varied programme of Scots songs
Venue: Dingwall Community Centre

Saturday 26th May 2012
Highly respected Lewis Gaelic singer and tradition bearer Mary Smith MBE will share her extensive knowledge of Gaelic song
Venue: Macphail Centre, Ullapool

Saturday 23rd June 2012
Renowned singer, harpist and composer Corrina Hewat promises a dynamic day of harmony singing. No previous experience necessary, all songs will be taught by ear.
Venue: The Old Stables, Cromarty

Saturday 28th July 2012
A day of lively waulking songs is guaranteed with South Uist’s own Gaelic tradition bearer Rona Lightfoot, who has been described as a ceilidh personified!
Venue: Glachbeg Croft Centre, North Kessock

Saturday 18th August 2012
For some tongue-twisting fun, get along to this day of Gaelic puirt-a -beul with Maggie MacDonald, singer with Cliar & member of the Campbells of Greepe singing dynasty
Venue: Dingwall Town Hall

Saturday 22nd September 2012
Scots song with Mairi Campbell, accomplished singer/composer & musical director of Sangstream folk choir (named Tutor of the Year at the Trad Awards 2011)
Venue: Ardross Community Hall

More details are available at www.feisrois.org by clicking on “Lifelong Learning” on the drop down panel on the left-hand side of the home page.