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Traditional music is making a comeback in Falkirk schools thanks to two projects which provide opportunities for children to experience and learn about Scottish traditional music, song and dance.

Falkirk Council already provides free tuition as part of the Falkirk Traditional Music Project (FTMP). Two bands have also been set up – a traditional band and a pipe band – involving secondary pupils from across the Falkirk Council area.

In an exciting new development, these opportunities will be available to primary pupils in Falkirk from August 2007. To launch this in June FTMP tutors will visit 13 primary schools providing free music workshops showcasing the instruments available.

In the same month Feis Rois are set to deliver a week long series of exciting workshops (4-8 June) in traditional Scottish music in nine primary schools as part of a national project funded by the Scottish Arts Council.

Top musicians Mike Vass, John Somerville, Kathleen Graham and Barry Reid will visit the P6/7 classes as part of Feis Rois. Each one hour workshop will feature energetic performances of song, fiddle, accordion and guitar and an opportunity fir the children to learn a lively song or dance.

Feis Rois Education Officer, Allison Watson added: “We are continually delighted at the tremendous response the Traditional Musicians in Schools scheme has received from both school staff and pupils. The opportunity to inspire children with high quality music workshops from some of our leading traditional musicians has been invaluable.”

Quote from Cllr Tom Coleman, SNP Education spokesperson and architect of the music initiative

“While in administration the SNP were keen to ensure that pupils had the opportunity to participate in the widest range of arts activities possible.

We were also keen to ensure that traditional music and dance were not overlooked and the initiatives brought forward by us have stimulated increased interest in traditional culture and heritage amongst young people which is hugely gratifying.

I am pleased that the new Labour Administration are continuing, for now, the SNP initiative to promote traditional arts culture within our schools and that our plans to have this rolled out at Primary School level are to go ahead.

Having already attracted the MOD to Falkirk and brought about free tuition to young people it is clear that we have created a positive environment for traditional music and dance to re-establish itself which was always the SNP’s goal in this area.”