Northern Trad Youth is an exciting three-day traditional music gathering designed especially for young musicians. Led by the incredible Catriona Macdonald—a renowned Shetland fiddler, founding member of Blazin' Fiddles and String Sisters, and the director of Newcastle University’s innovative Folk degree programme.
We caught up with Catriona to find out more about what to expect from this fantastic event and find out a bit about her musical journey.
Tell us a bit about your musical journey and what drew you to traditional music?
I always wanted to play the fiddle and was delighted when, on my 7th birthday, I was gifted one. Growing up in Shetland, I was aware of the famous fiddle players I had seen on TV and my Grandad had played a little while he was in the Merchant Navy. I took violin lessons at Bell's Brae primary school and then started to take fiddle lessons when I got to the Anderson High School. I was so inspired to play traditional Music with my school pals (Shetland's Young Heritage) and we travelled to Scotland, Norway, America and Java by the time I left high school. I then moved to London for a few years to study music at the Royal College of Music and since then I have played professionally since I was in my late teens - playing gigs from the Fair Isle Hall to the Royal Albert Hall, London, the Shetland Folk Festival to Glastonbury Festival and lots in between. Trad music has playing music together and solo, making friendships and being part of a bigger worldwide traditional music community at its heart - it is music that can last a lifetime and it continues to inspire me.
What can participants expect from Northern Trad Youth?
It will be a chance to learn some great trad tunes and techniques in a fun and inclusive way.
The workshops will cover everything from aural training to stagecraft, what part of the program are you most excited about?
This year we are going to work on how to feel more confident when playing as a solo player and/or in a group setting. These are things I wish somebody had talked about when I was growing up. Music and playing should be enjoyable to present whether at home or in more formal environments - performance skills and stagecraft is something that can be learned.
Why do you think it’s so important for young musicians to get experience playing in a group or ensemble?
As well as my solo playing, I have always played in groups with people who share an interest in traditional music. In groups we can learn all sorts of extra musical skills about how to communicate ideas, how to listen to others and how to create something sonically bigger than you can achieve on your own. At Northern Trad we will work in smaller groups where, with support from tutors, you will be able to be creative and guide your group's arrangement towards a concert performance.
For any young musicians who are thinking about joining but might be a little unsure of their skills, what would you say?
Don't worry, the tutors are very experienced teachers and will help support and guide you throughout the workshops. Most tune learning will be by ear, but music will be given out as needed and if you haven't tried traditional music before this is your chance to come and experience it in a supportive environment.
After the three days at Northern Trad Youth, what do you hope participants will take away from the experience?
Learn some cool tunes, make new friends, be creative and have a lot of fun.
