Musical exchange

A group of Orkney youngsters are travelling to Shetland to pass on tunes and learn about music in the isles.

The 10 children will be visiting the Ness Accordion and Fiddle Club on Monday and will also be taking part in a workshop by Shetland fiddler Eunice Henderson.

On Tuesday evening they will be performing at Isleburgh’s Shetland Showcase – an evening of traditional music at Islesburgh Community Centre.

Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch will also be performing on the night, as well as Eunice Henderson’s South Mainland Students.

The Orkney musicians are making the trip north as part of the Orkney Traditional music project.

Musical director Diane Kelday said the project began in 1998 as a way to encourage youngsters to take up the accordion and revive accordion playing in Orkney.

Fiddle music was then added, she said, with summer schools held every year.

In the past, Eunice Henderson has travelled to Orkney to pass on tips to musicians, but this is the first time that Orkney musicians have come to Shetland as part of the project.

“I think a few of the kids are quite looking forward to it,” said Diane.

“They’ve not been up any other time.”

She said the project is a chance to promote Orkney music as well as an opportunity for the musicians to mix with other musicians and learn new tunes.