Fiddle Frenzy under way

Fiddle Frenzy is well under way with a busy week of concerts, workshops and sessions for music lovers both close to home and far and wide.

The annual event kicked off with a concert in Mareel last night with the esteemed duo of fiddler Bryan Gear and pianist Violet Tulloch.

Recently formed duo Trig Bag – fiddler/singer Claire White and guitarist Robbie Leask – were also on the bill as were local father/daughter duo Ewen and Martha Thomson.

Tonight the second concert of the festival takes place in the Garrison Theatre with fiddle. accordion and piano duo Angus Lyon and Ruaridh Campbell.

Charismatic Shetland fiddler Gemma Donald will also be taking to the stage, joined by Tulloch on piano.

Quarff fiddlers Jenna and Bethany Reid are curating the festival for the final time, with this being their third year.

“It’s hard to believe where the time’s gone, but it’s really been really enjoyable to work with Shetland Arts and Mareel and all the folk there,” Jenna said.

Guitar and fiddle workshops form part of the festival and tomorrow afternoon students will have the chance to travel to the West Side for workshops in Aith in the school and hall.

Orcadian guitarist, singer and songwriter Kris Drever, now living in Shetland, will be performing with friends from the islands.

Jenna said it would be a special concert as Grant Nicol and Fiddlers’ Bid member Andrew Gifford will also be playing at the gig,  and students will have the chance to visit Michaelswood – dedicated to fiddler Michael Ferrie, a founding member of the famous Shetland group.

Drever, Brian Cromarty and Anna Massie make up a top trio of guitar tutors and Jenna said it was great to have guitarist involved in the festival.

“Brian Cromarty is a brilliant teacher and they are all fantastic guitarists and have a vampy style in their own way.”

For coverage of the festival see Friday’s Shetland Times.