Last Sunday I travelled up to Barra on the boat from Oban to teach keyboard at Fèis Bharraigh. The week-long fèis was action packed with traditional instrument lessons, Scottish Gaelic classes, concerts and dances. A bunch of fantastic tutors joined myself in teaching many youngsters for the week. The days were filled with classes and the evenings with concerts.
I had 24 keyboard pupils over the week, 4 of which keyboard was their first choice. These 4 talented young musicians performed in the fèis concert at the end of the week on Friday alongside all other pupils at the fèis. The concert included showcases from keyboards, fiddles, pipes, harps, whistles, drums, accordions, highland dancing, drama, art, media and more.
As well as instruments, drama, art and media classes there were also shinty classes. On the last day of the fèis there was a shinty match for the pupils against the tutors. The pupils battled their way to victory with a score of 7 to 6!
As well as all the fèis activities, the tutors managed to find time to go to the beach, try sea kayaking and other leisure activities over the week. We were spoiled with the weather on Barra as it was gorgeous for the most-part of the time we were there. Overall it was a fantastic week at the fèis and something I would love to do again.
Fèis Bharraigh