CATHY ANN MAC PHEE ADDS TO A TOP LINE-UP OF TUTORS AT THIS YEAR'S SMO SHORT COURSES

Barra singer Cathy Ann MacPhee will make a welcome return to the west coast this year as one of a host of top-names tutors teaching at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s summer programme of short courses.

As well as Cathy Ann, who now lives in Canada, Alasdair Fraser’s ever-popular Fiddle Week runs again where he is joined by Patsy Reid, Coll MacDonald and Louise MacKenzie. That same week includes cello classes from Natalie Haas and Pauline Salmond, as well as step-dance classes with Caroline Reagh and Sandra Robertson.

Christine Primrose and Cathy Ann MacPhee will teach Gaelic Song, and other classes include fiddle with Charlie MacKerron and Louise MacKenzie, piping with Iain MacFadyen and Andrew MacPherson, the whistle with Iain Macdonald, the clarsach with Karen Marshalsay, the accordion with Fergie Macdonald and Addie Harper, painting with Iseabail Mhoireach, the bodhran with Martin O’ Neill and cultural classes on Robert Burns and the Highland connection with Dr Fred Freeman.

In addition to well-known singers and musicians, there will be a series of Gaelic classes for all levels from now until the end of summer taught by experienced and knowledgeable tutors. There are Gaelic courses for English speakers, Irish Gaelic speakers and German speakers during the summer months.

David Byrne, the Short Course Co-ordinator, said: “I am thrilled to be launching such a strong programme of events and I am looking forward to the summer. The week-long Gaelic courses for learners are set to be better than ever, and I am delighted to welcome Cathy Ann MacPhee who makes a welcome return to these shores and adds to what we believe is a tremendous short course programme this year.”

The Short Courses run until the end of August and among the courses on offer are: Gaelic, piping, fiddle, step dancing, cello, accordion, painting, whistle, clàrsach and much more. The courses have been run at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the south of Skye for over 30 years.

“The numbers we get each year are testimony enough to the quality of the courses,” Mr Byrne said. “We have received a lot of applications already for this year’s programme, but there are still places left on some courses. People come from all over the world for these short courses and they get a taste of the Gaelic language and culture, as well learning from some of the best artists around.”

For more information on the short courses visit www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/cg

 

For more information about the Short Courses’ Programme contact David Byrne on 01471 888240.

 Notes to the Editors:

1. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is Scotland’s Gaelic College (situated in Sleat on the Isle of Skye) and has received numerous awards for the quality of education that it provides. The college offers courses at Diploma, Degree and Postgraduate level as well as distance learning courses, all through the medium of Gaelic.

 

2. The full-time courses that Sabhal Mòr delivers include: Cùrsa Comais, Gaelic and Communication, BA and BA (hons) Gaelic Language and Culture, BA and BA (hons) Gaelic and North Atlantic Studies, BA Gaelic and Media Studies, Diploma in Gaelic Media and a taught post-graduate course in Material Culture and the Environment. In addition to the full-time courses the Gaelic Access Course is available and a series of short courses run through the summer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

DAVID BYRNE ON 01471 888240