Aberdeen’s Scottish Culture and Traditions association (SCaT) is holding a Taster Day this Saturday 27 August from 10am to 3pm in the Academy Shopping Centre Courtyard. Aspiring folk musicians, singers and dancers will have a chance to learn basic notes, simple songs and first steps from SCaT tutors.

Tutors will be available to talk to adults interested in joining SCaT evening classes this autumn. Prospective students can play accordions, bodhrans, clarsachs, fiddles, guitars, highland bagpipes and whistles, try percussive step-dance or even practice their ceilidh dancing skills. Tutors and class members will give informal performances and groups of SCaT buskers will play elsewhere in town to point people in the direction of the event.

‘SCaT really is Aberdeen’s own version of Fame Academy for folk musicians, singers and dancers!’ said SCaT guitar tutor and board member Graham Stephen. ‘Classes are led by experienced tutors who help students to develop their skills in a supportive environment. Throughout the year there will be opportunities to play informally with members of other classes and to perform at concerts and ceilidhs. The only difference is that in SCaT no-one gets evicted!’

In fact SCaT participants return year after year to improve their skills. Last year’s SCaT taster day resulted in SCaTs highest ever enrolment. There are now over 350 people involved in SCaT classes, aged between 16 and 70+. Class members travel from all over the north east – from as far as Huntly, Banff, Ballater, Torphins and Stonehaven. SCaT participants have gone on to work full-time in traditional music development, formed successful bands, taught music in schools and even become ScaT tutors themselves.

SCaT class members performed at in the Academy Courtyard as part of Aberdeen’s Tartan Day celebrations. Chairman Susan Kirkwood said ‘There was so much interest in SCaT on Tartan Day that we decided to return to the same venue to give people a chance to talk to our tutors and actually get their hands on some instruments. It’s the ideal opportunity to find out more about our evening classes. If you have ever wanted to try Scottish music, song or dance, this is your chance. Come and see what its like to play a new instrument, develop your voice or move your feet to the music.’

SCaT run evening classes at all levels for adults in a wide range of traditional instruments, song, dance and Gaelic language and hold public ceilidhs, concerts, workshops and regular music sessions. The increasing popularity of SCaT evening classes is a reflection of the current resurgence of the Scottish folk music scene; to meet this demand SCaT is running twenty nine classes this autumn, with three levels of tuition in most classes and two very popular mixed instrument groups.

The SCaT evening classes will be running at Harlaw Academy, with registration there on the evenings of Wednesday 31 August and Thursday 1 September. The classes on offer are: accordion, bodhran, ceilidh dance, clarsach, fiddle, gaelic, groupwork, guitar, pipes, step dance, traditional song, and whistle.

Class programmes are available at locations throughout Aberdeen or from the new SCaT website www.scottishculture.org. They can be sent to you by phoning the SCaT office (01224 591900) by writing to: SCaT, First Floor, 4 Bon Accord Crescent, Aberdeen, AB11 6DH, or by emailing office@scottishculture.org.

The Scottish Culture and Traditions Association receives support from the Scottish Arts Council and Aberdeen City Council.
 
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