Aberdeen based orchestras of fiddles and accordions that practice, perform and preserve traditional Scottish music.

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year ended 28 February 2011

Home » Annual report 2011

Review of developments, activities and achievements

Who runs the Society | Why we're here | What we've achieved | What we're planning | Finances | Examiners Report

Concerts

Picture of Conductor Graham Reid in kilt with tartan bow tieConductor Graham Reid at the Lemon Tree April 2010

Once more the Society's orchestras have had a full programme of 17 performances throughout the year varying in both their size and venue. These would not have been possible without the continued support and contributions of the members. The highlights include:

  • Another full house for the Society's annual concert at the Lemon Tree in April 2010. The concert was well received and the event cleared a small surplus when including the raffle and CD sales;
  • Fiddler Karen MacDonald hosted a fiddle workshop for orchestra members in May 2010;
  • 15 orchestra members plus a few accompanying family members travelled to Shetland in October 2010 to participate in the 23rd annual Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in Scotland and brings together both local artists and visiting guests with a shared love of traditional Scottish music. As well as concerts, which included a performance by the members at the Festival Club, there are ceilidhs and numerous informal sessions in Lerwick and beyond;
  • Orchestra members entertained visitors to the Taste of Grampian food festival in June 2010;
  • In August 2010 we were once again invited to appear as part of Aberdeen's Tartan Day Festival;
  • The Society, along with guests from other societies, undertook their annual Fiddlers Rally at Aberdeen Music Hall in November 2010. Guests were singer Shona Donaldson and local fiddler Paul Anderson;
  • Person dressed as snowman in front of members of the orchestraMembers performed at Aberdeen's Winter Festival in December 2010

    As part of Aberdeen City's Winter Festival which ran from late November 2010, small groups from the Society entertained shoppers at some of the main shopping centres in Aberdeen. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather in late November our participation in the St Andrews Days celebration was cancelled.

Throughout the year a number of small evening concerts were undertaken at sheltered housing complexes and churches. The Afternoon Group continued to entertain at hospitals, nursing homes and churches, lead this session by Dave Beaton and Sandy Lumsden.

Other events

At the AGM in May 2010 the Society presented a tune composed by Nick Cowling to Kenny Young in recognition of the significant contribution Kenny has made to the Society over the years. Kenny is both a Life Member of the Society and an Honorary Vice President, having served on the committee several times, including twice in the role of President. Called the “Balmoral Sound March” the tune was named after the Scottish dance band Kenny performed with. The Fiddlers' Rally in November 2010 saw the inaugural performance of the tune, which will also feature in the forthcoming Fiddlers' Spectacular.

In September 2010 we returned to our existing rehearsal premises of Cornhill Primary and Community Education Centre, albeit with a significant increase in rent, following revisions to the lettings of education premises by Aberdeen Council. However, there was a delay in let confirmation which meant there was not enough time to organise a taster session in advance of the start of the September session, though fortunately the concert session did start on time. In light of ongoing council budget cuts we expect further above inflation increases in our rent costs.

The committee were saddened by the news that the Society's Honorary President John Mason MBE passed away in January 2011. John Mason was highly influential in the promotion of traditional Scottish music as a composer, as well as being the Founder and Musical Director of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. John composed several tunes to commemorate significant anniversaries of the Society. These include “Home to Bon Accord”, “The Strings of Bon Accord”, “The Heart of Bon Accord” and “The Roses of Bon Accord” all for our Golden Jubilee. For our 60th anniversary he composed “The Diamond Jubilee” and for our 75th anniversary “Hail to Bon Accord”.

The Society continues to be a member of Making Music, a charity which provides information, support and other services to voluntary music groups, including arranging the Society's block insurance cover. The Arts Council England announced in March 2011 substantial reductions in grants to various organisations it funds, including Making Music's 2012-15 funding application. Whilst the full implications of the cut are still being evaluated it is likely that there will be an impact, either through increased costs or reduced services.

On the social front the Christmas Party evening returned to the Cloverleaf Hotel for an enjoyable night.

Fiddlers Spectacular poster - picture of violin in background with Caledon on stage in foregroundFiddlers' Spectacular at His Majesty's Theatre May 2011

Our thanks go to all members, old and new, who have played at the many concerts held during the period and helped in various ways to keep the Society running so smoothly.

Future plans

Final rehearsals and preparations are underway in relation to the Fiddlers' Spectacular at Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre which runs from 5-7 May 2011. A joint production with Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society the guests include Scotland's Three Tenors “Caledon”, comedian and broadcaster Fred MacAulay, Bucksburn & District Pipe Band and award winning accordionist Craig Paton.

The Fiddlers' Rally at Aberdeen Music Hall, which the Society hosts, has been confirmed for Saturday 12 November 2011.

Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer