I was delighted to be asked to return to the Tinto Tasters as a tutor in July. I first taught at the tasters in the summer of 2014 and it was brilliant. I was asked to tutor again last year but unfortunately I had to miss it due to illness.
This year’s tasters ran from Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th, and the second one was from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd. Fellow tutors were Findlay Napier (guitar and song) and Gráinne Brady (fiddle), with help from Finlay Cunniffe, Chris Mack and Ryan Young.
As always Tinto is held at Wiston Lodge near Biggar. The lodge is an absolutely fantastic place and is perfect for a music summer school like Tinto. All the students taking part stay over during the summer school. All meals are provided by the lodge and they’re always very tasty! The grounds are lovely around the lodge and there is plenty of opportunity to play frisbee, and other sports, during free time whilst at the summer school.
The young musicians for this year’s tasters had a range of ages, instruments and levels. During the first session I was tutoring piano, and the second I was with the flutes and whistles. Each taster group worked towards a performance for their family and friends on the last day of the session. The performance consisted of songs and tunes. Each group did brilliantly well to learn so many things and perform them so well in such a short space of time.
It was a fantastic week at Wiston Lodge and I even managed to get a walk up Tinto Hill. My birthday fell on the Friday and the kitchen had made an enormous and delicious chocolate cake for everyone!
Tinto isn’t just for young musicians, there are adult courses as well. Check out their website, there’s something for everyone!
