Highland Branch Report 2022-23
In autumn 2022, the Highland Branch started the term with an online workshop with Sunita Staneslow, then in-person workshops with Karen Marshalsay and Sara Evans. Sara drove all the way from the Pyrenees and also treated us to a duo concert with her partner on double bass. We also had our annual Christmas workshop with Cheyenne Brown and Isbel Pendlebury. In 2023, we continued our workshops with Jennifer Port, Siannie Moodie, Wendy Stewart and Fraya Thomsen. In March, we culminated all these amazing tunes into a fabulous concert at the RNI Chapel. The concert also featured children’s and adult’s ensembles who had recently performed at the Inverness Music Festival.
The branch also ran several ‘come-and-try’ sessions with Emma Wright and Cheyenne Brown, hosted in Inverness, Dingwall, Evanton, Kingussie, Aviemore and Grantown as well as at the Inverness Gathering and Belladrum Festival.
With support from the Creative Scotland Covid Recovery Fund via the Clarsach Society, we have released our first ever Highland Branch tune book. The 18 featured pieces have been collected from those currently and historically involved with the branch. As the Clarsach Society itself was formed in 1931 in Dingwall, it is wonderful to have this collection of tunes reflect the Clarsach Society’s Highland origins. These books are available for purchase!
Kirsty North, Secretary