'Ar Dachaigh' Inter-Fèis Project

'Ar Dachaigh' is being created by Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich in conjunction with the festival with the support of several other Fèisean in the Hebrides.

Budding musicians will come together to form a traditional music group in their area to perform as part of an Inter-Fèis showcase to be held in An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway on Saturday 18 July 2009.

The aim of the project is to give Fèis participants from the Butt to Barra an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities within a professional setting.

The first stage of 'Ar Dachaigh' will see each group choosing material native to their area that relates to the theme of the concert – Homecoming to be performed during the Showcase.

In the second phase Lewis musician, Norrie Maciver of Bodega, who has been appointed as the Musical Director, will visit each group in their own area to monitor progress and to offer additional support and advice.

The organisers were delighted that Calum MacDonald of Runrig agreed to compose a new Gaelic song to contribute to the project and therefore the final stage of 'Ar Dachaigh' will see all musicians participating in festival workshops to learn this song and prepare for their performance together on stage in the finale. Participants will also have the opportunity to partake in other musical workshops during the week led by a group of accomplished musicians, several of whom will be performing as part of the main festival programme.

A video back projection incorporating interviews and pre-recorded links filmed by each group will be used to introduce each set in Gaelic.

Further details on the project from jenna@feisean.org or telephone 01859 502600.

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