Shetland Arts Trust is to host a major music training weekend on Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st  November in Islesburgh Community Centre as part of their ongoing Music Development Project. The event, which will be run in partnership with Impact Arts from Glasgow and the Musicians Union, has been built around a number of local musical needs identified during a training needs analysis survey carried out in Shetland last year.

The full programme will be run both afternoons to allow participants to attend as many of the workshops as possible. The workshops will focus on some of the main areas of the music industry, including Creative Music Making, Music Business Issues and Music Education Opportunities, and will be delivered by prominent individuals from across the Scottish music industry.

The programme consists of:

13.00 – 15.00  -  General Music Industry and Music Copyright Issues with Iain Smith (MU) and Duncan McCrone (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society – MCPS)

13.00 – 15.00 – Health and Safety in the Music Industry and Safe Stage Construction with Derek Doyle of Stow College.

13.00 – 15.30 – Creative Music Making – Jazz and Blues with the Raymond Harris Trio – A music participation workshop.

13.00 – 15.00 – Creating Effective Practical Workshops for Traditional Musicians with Andrew Webster.

15.00 – 17.00 – Understanding and Surviving the International Music Industry - Ronnie Gurr – Independent Music Consultant

15.00 – 17.00 – Music Education Opportunities - Derek Doyle - Stow College

15.30 – 17.00 – How to Survive as a Working Musician  – Raymond Harris.

15.00 – 17.00 – Songwriting – Andrew Webster

Shetland Arts Trust Music Development Officer Davie Gardner said “This is an exciting opportunity for those of all ages involved in any aspect of the local music scene to gain further knowledge and experience from some of the leading lights of the Scottish music industry in a very informal fashion. This package should meet the needs of everyone, from the enthusiastic beginner, simply seeking out initial information, to more experienced musicians who may have ambitions toward progressing in the wider music industry. It will also provide information on the growing number of music education opportunities now available throughout Scotland and assist those who have tutorial ambitions to deliver music classes of their own at a local level”.

The workshops are being offered on a first come first served basis and places are limited, so you are advised to lodge your names for the workshops you wish to attend with David Gardner at Shetland Arts on (01595) 607550 as soon as possible. All workshops are being offered free of charge.

Further workshops focusing on music technology, production and effective marketing will be offered in the early new year.

For further information contact David Gardner on (01595) 697550  - mobile 07748-153574 or e-mail david.gardner@shetland-arts-trust.co.uk