News / Young fiddlers wanted for London cultural exchange
YOUNG fiddlers from Shetland are being invited to take part in a cultural exchange programme that will see participants visit London for a one-week residency next year.
In return, six budding violinists from the country’s capital will spend a week in Shetland as both groups share musical knowledge and develop skills, as well as perform concerts.
The programme is being led by East London performing arts charity Shapeshifter Productions, which has received support from Creative Scotland and Arts Council England.
A total of six Shetland fiddlers, who must be aged between 12 and 14, will mingle with the visiting violinists in the isles between 3-8 April.
Between 23-30 July, the Shetland fiddlers will rejoin their new friends down in London.
Participants will get the chance to achieve the national bronze Arts Award and four concerts will be held during the programme, with two taking place in Shetland and two in London at concert halls and festivals.
Parents of Shetlanders taking part may be required to host visiting participants from London, or volunteer host families may be sought.
Applicants must be grade two/three or higher, or equivalent, and they should demonstrate “reasonable performance, listening, improvisational and reading skills, with the potential and commitment to developing these skills, alongside ensemble work”.
- All applications must be received by 5pm on Monday (5 December) and auditions will take place at Mareel in Lerwick on 10 December between 10am and 6pm. To obtain an application form, email violaine@shapeshifter-productions.com.
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