Eight of Shetland’s top young traditional musicians, ranging in ages from 15 to 26, are due to leave the islands toward the end of April 2006 to undertake a two-week tour of America. While there they will make an appearance at a major American Celtic music festival, perform a number of high profile concerts in their own right (largely throughout New York State), undertake a range of performances and workshops in American schools and colleges and make appearances on national radio and possibly television.

The musicians involved are:

James Leask (accordion) Darren Stewart (accordion and drums) Ross Couper (fiddle and guitar) Ryan Couper (guitar) Vicky Gray (fiddle) Gemma Donald (fiddle) Lois Nicol (fiddle) and Clair Laurenson (piano)

The group, collectively known as ‘Gaddery (a ‘gathering’ in Shetland dialect) especially for the visit, will be accompanied by local fiddle tutor, musician and composer Margaret Scollay. Margaret, who will act as musical director for the live appearances, will also lead workshops for American students, together with providing a wide range of information regarding Shetland’s musical culture and history to concert audiences throughout the visit.

The group have been specially brought together by the new Arts Development Agency ‘Shetland Arts’ for the trip and while in the USA will deliver a wide variety of Shetland traditional music performances incorporating solo fiddle, fiddle group(s), a Shetland dance band and a full blown Shetland session band. The tour itinerary has been organised by Robyn Boyd of Wooden Ship Productions, who act as agents in the USA for ‘Shetland Arts’, while the visit also has the direct support of Congressman John Sweeney who will meet the party during the visit.

At one of the concerts in Hudson NY the musicians, and those accompanying them, will be granted the ‘Freedom of the City of Hudson,

The group will also undertake concert performances in a number of American schools, followed by workshops involving the students there, which it is hoped will lead to ongoing contact, and possibly further exchanges, in the future. Among the ‘schools’ to be visited will be the world famous Rudolph Steiner School in Great Barrington MA and the Lehigh Charter High School for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem PA.

The tour will come to a close with the group making two major appearances at the acclaimed ‘Celebration of the Celts’ festival in New York State on Saturday 6th May 2006.

‘Shetland Arts’ music development officer Davie Gardner said “This is a very exciting and important visit for all concerned and strategically follows on from our successful visit to Austin in February with ‘Fiddlers Bid’ and ‘Shoormal’. I’m certain it will be hugely beneficial in many ways for everyone concerned. Having an influential agent such as Wooden Ship Productions acting for our interests in the US is now opening all sorts of doors for us in this respect and making much higher impact visits a more regular reality.

The fact that high profile politicians, concert promoters, radio and television stations are also involved illustrates the potential our music and culture has in this particular region.

It’s equally important to get the chance to visit a number of schools during the tour so that we can show young people in the States exactly where Shetland is in the world and what we are all about in a community sense and, of course, to get their young musicians directly involved with our music and culture.

I would also like to thank all those at Shetland Enterprise and Ms. Valerie Nicolson, head-teacher of the Anderson High School for their support and making this trip possible”.

Just prior to leaving for the USA, ‘Gaddery’ will perform a ‘dress rehearsal’ concert in the Anderson High School main hall on Sunday 23rd April at 7pm. All friends, family, teachers, instrumental tutors etc are very welcome to attend this free event.

(Members of the press especially welcome)

For further information contact: David Gardner on (01595) 694001