WELCOME

Learn to play the fiddle today, with local fiddle tutors. See "The Team" page for more details. The group is run by Sheila Sapkota and Karen Hendry (Administrator).

The fiddle has been played traditionally in Scotland for many years. The current surge in popularity has meant many adults and children seeking to learn traditional music.

Riddell Fiddles aims to allow anybody to learn the fiddle, by providing inexpensive fun-filled lessons for young and old alike. It is an ongoing teaching programme run on a termly basis. It is not a 'drop in' group. Anyone wishing to visit or attend any of the sessions or workshops should contact the organisers first. Better still come and visit on one of our 'open days'.

Originally a fiddle group Riddell Fiddles has now branched out to include a group on guitar accompaniment, run by Donald Knox. A double bass player (Tony Manning) accompanies most classes.

Fiddle Lessons and Guitar Accompaniment Classes are held in Midlem Village Hall, in the Scottish Borders, on Sundays, see diary dates for details.

Each lesson consists of groups and will last approximately 50 minutes. This includes time for a short break/snack (provided) and will let us learn a few exercises to untangle / loosen wrists and shoulders as well as to listen to different types of music. Parents are welcome to stay during a child's lesson (most end up playing the fiddle themselves). Coffee and biscuits are provided.

 Amys Class

Ceilidh bands and stepdance classes run fortnightly in the Plough Inn, Lilliesleaf. A recent venture is the Riddell Sessions - led by Jimmy Nagle - which run fortnightly (also in the Plough) – see diary for dates.

Tuition is provided by a bank of local tutors, but visiting musicians are called on to give a workshop if they are playing locally. Recently Jerry Holland, Bruce Molsky, Bruce MacGregor and Jenna Reid have all given up their time to travel here and teach us.

 

News

Riddell Fiddles gave a great performance to the Scottish Business in the Community Awards Reception 2009 at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh on Thursday 11th June. A very prestigious gig, and it was well received.
The Caledonian Hilton gig

Well done on a great Bowhill Theatre performance and a very generous audience who donated £205

Busking at Tesco's on Saturday 23rd raised an amazing £208.69! Very well done indeed.
      

Well done to the youth group (and Donald!) for a great performance at the Wynd Theatre in Melrose. You played so well and everyone, including the guide dogs, loved it. Duncan Chisholm & Ivan Drever played pretty well too!

RF support at the wynd 1

RF support at the wynd 2

 Duncan and Ivan at the Wynd

Grant gratefully received from the Leishman Trust

The group's performance at the Scottish Seabird Centre for the 'Wee Planet Festival' met with a standing ovation and an encore!
A great turnout by both players and spectators (including a fellow fiddler from Devon who is going to become our first long distance learner!). Well done everybody!

Riddell Fiddles players, in various combinations, managed to play with the Traditional Young Musicians from Skye, play at a concert (Fantoosh), entertain guests at the Grand Hall at Edinburgh castle, play for a ceilidh, participate in Hawick Reivers festival (one hour outdoor performance), play in Catriona Macdonalds concert and then take in Shona Mooney's session at the Beanscene - all within the space of 11 days. Whew!

The endurance medals go to Caitlin Gowans and Kim Hendry who managed to be in almost everything.

Final Fling 1 Final Fling 2 Final Fling 3 Castle 1 Castle 2 Castle 3
Edinburgh Castle 4

Riddell Fiddles gratefully acknowledge receipt of a cheque for £400 from Galashiels based firm GB Telecom. This money will help with our tutor budget and is very welcome.

GB Telecom

We have also received a grant from the James Maclean Trust.

 RF accept cheque from GB Telecom

Our concert with 'Fantoosh' went well at Selkirk Rugby Club on Friday the 20th March. Everyone played to the usual high standard and enjoyed the varied programme of music played by Fantoosh.
Fantoosh

Shona Mooney made her Midlem debut on Sunday 1st with a youth group lesson and then taught a Borders tune with the Advanced Class.
Shona Mooney

 

Catriona Macdonald has written a march for Riddell Fiddles. The world premiere of our new tune 'The Riddelliculous March' was at Edinburgh Castle on the 26th March.

Couple of things to look out for later this year:-

  • Tom McConville is coming on 1st November - "Scintillating fiddle, a silky smooth voice, a wide grin and a dry Geordie wit"
  • Roxanna Sabir (West Canadian Fiddler) on the 15th November

- West Coast Fiddle Camp - http://coaststringfiddlers.com/. Details for our trip is on the Vancouver page, available from here. Trip is from Weds, 1st to Thurs 16th July 2009.

Aly & Phil

Riddell Fiddles are playing at both concerts.

If you want to subscribe to Merlin Music's monthly newsletter, e-mail them at merlinmusic@btconnect.com

Busking Dates

  • Saturday 19th September - Busking Tescos - 11.00 - 12.30 p.m.

Performances

  • Thursday 25th June : Braw Lads Gathering Overseas Reception, Volunteer Hall
  • Saturday 27th June : Upbeat Drum School Awards, Corn Exchange, Melrose, from 1pm
  • Saturday 1st August : Berwickshire Agricultural Show - Duns Castle 6.00 - 8.00 p.m. Be there for 5.30 p.m.
  • Sunday 6th September - 2 p.m. - Border Clans Day Langholm
  • Sunday 6th September - p.m. Playing at Peebles Arts Festival, Eastgate Theatre
  • Tueday 8th September - Borders Walking Festival Performance - Jedburgh
  • Friday 25th September: Victoria Hall - Selkirk. Clan Scott gathering
  • Saturday 26th September: Tent Village, Bowhill

 

 

montage

 

Now also available at:

MySpace

You Tube

Young Scot

Other Events
  • Jenna Reid - Sunday 27th September Concert at Midlem Hall - 7.30 p.m.
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