Students 2005/2006

A Clàrsach workshop in the music room
Photograph by John Sikorski

Michael
My name is Michael and I live in the Black Isle. I am now in 4th year at school and have had 3 years at the Music School. I really enjoy this place and have learnt a great deal. I have met some really neonach people. When I leave I don't think I will do something with music.

Scot
Hi, my name is Scot and I'm from Fife. I am in fifth year at school but this is my first year at the Music School. I have chosen to study accordion and piano this year. I also play double bass which is quite cool in Groupwork. I wanted to come to the Music School because where I live there are no traditional music activities whatsoever. Over the next two years I am looking forward to playing in groups, recording, improving my technique and eating lots! When I leave I hope to go to the RSAMD and study traditional music. I would maybe consider teaching music, but I'm not really sure yet!

Hannah
Hi! My name is Hannah. I am from Kyle. This is my first year in the Music School. I play Clàrsach for my second instrument and Gaelic song is my first study. I am here because I am interested in music and I would like to be a good performer by the time I leave here. I'm not sure if I want to take up a music career when I leave the Music School, but it's something I'm thinking about.

Rachel
Hello. My name is Rachel and I'm from Stirlingshire. This is my first year here at Plockton. I play the Clàrsach and piano. I started playing the Clàrsach about six years ago. I decided to apply to the Music School because I wanted to play with other young musicians and have the opportunity to learn other instruments as well. I have never actually been taught the piano so I'm looking forward to improving my technique. I don't really know what I want to do when I leave here, but probably something to do with music. I am interested in Music Therapy as well as teaching so I am not sure.

Lauren
Hiya! I'm Lauren and I have just started the Music School. I'm from South Lanarkshire and I play piano and fiddle. I came to the Centre to explore different aspects of traditional music from the different areas of Scotland and to meet people who share the same interest in traditional music as me. When I leave I would possibly like to continue studying traditional music at RSAMD but I am not certain yet.

Tia
My name is Tia and I am from Argyll and Bute. I have been at the Music School for 4 years and I am currently starting my final year. I am studying the guitar and pipes, but I also play the fiddle. I decided to come to the Music School to learn more about the pipes and guitar. My favourite part of the Music School is the lessons. When I leave, I would like to take a course in instrument making, and keep performing as this is something which I really enjoy doing.

Stephanie
My name is Stephanie and I'm from the Highlands. I've just started at the Music School and I play the Clàrsach for my first study and piano for my second. I decided to audition to come here because I had usually taught myself since I started and felt it would be a great opportunity to improve further and have the chance to work with other young musicians. I will be here for the next two years and after I leave I hope to go onto Uni and study Music Therapy.

Seàn
I'm Seàn and I've just started at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music. I come from South Ayrshire and that is where I first began to play whistle, flute and guitar. I decided to audition for the Music School when I felt I could no longer improve teaching myself. I felt the Music School will give me a great opportunity to improve and hopefully achieve my full potential. My dream is to be able to play music professionally, but I realise that to do this would be an extremely hard life. Instead, when I leave, I will look into a career such as engineering so that I will always have something to fall back on.

Emma
My name is Emma and I'm from the Western Isles. I'm in my first year at the Music School. I am a Gaelic singer and I chose piano as my second study although I only play a little. I started to think about auditioning for the Music School when I started to want to do traditional music for a living. I thought that if I was accepted it would give me a head start and a better opportunity to achieve what I want to do. I'm looking forward to the next 2 years as I think I will be able to expand my knowledge and ability in music. In the future I hope to produce and record my own work.

Rebecca
I'm Rebecca and I've been here for one year studying fiddle and flute. I come from Islay. I'm here to study traditional music in more depth and to meet other young musicians. I'm not yet sure what I'd like to do after leaving here, but I'd quite like to go to Uni and take music a bit further.

Anna
My name is Anna and I'm from the Western Isles. I've been in the Music School for a year now. I play the fiddle and piano. I auditioned for the Music School after my teacher told me that it would be a good opportunity to expand my music ability. When I leave, I would like to have a career in music, and maybe audition for music courses in universities like Limerick or the RSAMSD. I like working in bands with other people, and also enjoy living with other people I know and get on well with.

Neil
Alright! My name's Neil, I'm in fifth year at school and I come from Ardnamurchan. I play fiddle for my first choice and have just switched second choice whistle to guitar. This is going to be my third year at the Music School and I'm hoping to improve my repertoire this year. I'm not looking for a career in music because I would rather have it as a bit of fun.

Suzanne
My name is Suzanne and I'm from Sutherland. I'm just starting my second year at the centre and I am studying piano and Gaelic Song, but I also play the whistle. I decided to come to the centre because of the great experience that I will get in recording performance and working in a band, and because of the high quality weekly lessons that we get. I also love living with so many people that share my love for traditional music. When I leave, I'd like to go to the RSAMD, or maybe to Limerick.

Colin
My name is Colin and I'm now in my 6th year at school and 5th year in the music school. I live in North Lanarkshire and play the Clàrsach and flute. After I leave, I'd quite like to go on to study Gaelic and mathematics. I joined the Music School in order to improve my playing and also to have more chance to play with other musicians.

Amy
Hi! I'm Amy and I live in the Inverness area. I play the accordion and whistles. This is my first year at the school and I am really enjoying it. By coming here, I would like to improve my playing skills and learn more tunes, and to widen my knowledge of traditional music. When I leave the school, I would like to use my music or Gaelic as a career.

Kimberley
Hello. I am Kimberley and I come from Caithness. This is my fourth year in the music school and I am studying fiddle first choice and bagpipes/piano as second. I am here to improve my solo performing, but I also enjoy the Groupwork side. When I leave I hope to go on to study music at the RSAMD or speech therapy.

Chris
Hi, I'm Chris and I come from the Scottish Borders. I'm a first choice piper and my second instrument this year is guitar, but I also play whistles and bodhrán. I'm in 6th year at the moment, and when I'm released I would like to go to the RSAMD or do sound engineering. The music up here is amazing and it's great craic as well.

Coralea
Hello there! I am Coralea and I am from Angus. My first study at the Music School is the fiddle and my second study is the piano. This is my third year in the Music School and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt so much about the different aspects of traditional music, and music of different cultures. I am in 5th year now, and when I leave school I hope to study Irish Music and Dance at Limerick University.

Murdo
My name is Murdo, I'm from Skye and Lochalsh and I play accordion and pipes. I was already at Plockton High School, but have just started at the Music School. I came because I like music and want to know more!! When I've finished I'm going to try and go to the RSAMD, and maybe start with a trade like electrician or mechanic as a fall back thing.

Visit student years below:
2007/2008
2006/2007
2005/2006
2004/2005

Tel 01599 544706
The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music,
Plockton High School, Plockton, Wester Ross IV52 8TU
email dougie.pincock@highland.gov.uk
www.musicplockton.org