Beolach

Thursday 2 December 2004, 6.30pm, BBC2 Scotland

Programme three of the Beolach music series will be broadcast on Thursday 2nd December on BBC 2 Scotland.

Beolach features some of Scotland's finest musicians representing The National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton, Feisean nan Gaidheal and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

A series of preparatory weekend workshops, which were filmed for the series, were held where the students worked on performances with Jack Evans and Ingrid Henderson musical directors for the series along with a variety of tutors.

These musical performances were recorded in the Skye Gathering Hall in Portree in the Isle of Skye. The items involved performances by each separate organisation, collaborative presentations and contributions involving highly regarded professional guest musicians.

This week's programme features music from students representing the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Amongst some of the pieces that will feature in the programme will be 'Skye Quin' written by Ben MacKinnon and 'The Bouncing Bow' written by Fraya Thomsen both students at the academy.

Brian MacNeil, Head of the Scottish Music Course at the RSAMD, discusses the aims of the course which was established nearly eight years ago.

Jack Evans, one of the musical directors for the series, says he finds it extremelly rewarding working with the students and seeing how they progress.

We also hear from Deirdre Graham a student of the Scottish Music Course as she tells us how she started out in the music world.

Beolach, narrated by Catriona Lexy Campbell, can be seen on Thursday 2nd December at 6.30pm on BBC 2 Scotland.

The programme is produced by Media nan Eilean TV and funded by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig, Western Isles, Skye & Lochalsh Leader + Programme and Feisean nan Gaidheal

For more information, please contact:
MnE Television, Isle of Skye
Tel - 01471 820 190
E-mail: mneskye@btinternet.com