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Welcome to a History of
THE SCOTTISH FIDDLE ORCHESTRA
PATRON HRH PRINCESS ROYAL
 

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AN ORCHESTRA IS BORN

November 1979  After a 'Fiddlers' Rally' concert at Bearsden the idea of a fixed membership orchestra was suggested and discussed by some of the participants.

October 1979 - February 1980  A series of meetings were held to discuss and establish the format of 'The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra'. Invitations were sent to all persons and groups involved in the performance and furthering of traditional Scottish music. The first Board of Management was composed of Conductor - John Mason MBE;  Deputy Conductor - Alexander Cook;   Secretary - Dr Gerry Crean;  Leader - William S. Dunlop;  Administrators - Leslie Pratt, Bob Willox, David Paton;  Treasurer - Grace Pratt;  General - Andrew Cousar, Robert Clyde.


THE INAUGURAL CONCERT

22 March 1980  The inaugural concert was held in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, with the support of the Aberdeen City District Council, in aid of the RSSPCC. Eighty-five players participated and the Compere was the Rev. James Currie, who compered all future concerts, except where otherwise noted, until April 1987. The soloists were Pat Carter and David Baillie. A recording of the concert was made by REL Records and issued as a single album - 'A Toast to Bonaccord'. The event was followed on the Sunday by a Dedication Service in the North Church of St.Andrew (The Fiddle Kirk) with the service being jointly taken by the Rev. Gordon Haggarty and the Rev. James Currie.


FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

13 September 1980   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of The British Digestive Foundation, with 111 players. The artistes were Mary Sandeman (mezzo-soprano) and James Nicol (tenor), who sang at all further concerts except where noted otherwise.

25 October 1980   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign. 124 players took part. The concert was recorded by REL and issued as a double album 'The Scottish Fiddlers Prom'.

31 December 1980  Live performance on the BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show. Compere - John Carmichael.


CONCERTS THROUGHOUT THE 80'S

Festive Entertainment titles

4 April 1981  Concert in the City Halls, Perth, in aid of RSSPCC, during 'The Year of the Child'. Compere - Magnus Magnusson, Soprano - Anne Lorne Gillies.

10 May 1981  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

20 June 1981  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of RSSPCC, in the presence of Her Royal Highnes Princess Margaret.

12 September 1981  Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Scottish Epilepsy Association.

31 October 1981   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign. Halloween masks were worn by some of the players

31 December 1981Live performance on BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show.

3 April 1982  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the RSSPCC.

10 April 1982  A group from the Orchestra went to Dallas, Texas. Concerts were given in halls and hospitals for charity. The group was sponsored by Braniff Airlines and Caledonian World Travel.

15 May 1982   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

8/9 June 1982  Two one-hour shows recorded for STV. Soloists - Patricia Hay, Helen MacArthur, Jim Nicol, Peter Morrison; Compere - Steve Hamilton.
Transmitted 2 September 1982 and 3 January 1983.

19 June 1982  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campai gn.

11 September 1982   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

30 October 1982   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

23 November 1982   Concert in Govan Town Hall for BBC. Due to industrial action within the BBC it was not video recorded as arranged, but it was recorded for BBC Radio Scotland.

31 December 1982  Live broadcast for BBC Radio Scotland's Hogmanay Show, followed by high speed dash with Police escort to STV studios to participate in the midnight Hogmanay television show. Joined in this by Peter Morrison, Janice Kelly, Karen Hunter, lain Cuthbertson, Andy Cameron, the Peggy O'Keefe quintet and the Bruce McClure dancers.

March 1983  Two shows recorded for STV. Transmitted 18 May 1983 and 22 August 1983.

2 April 1983  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the Cardio Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. From recordings at the Usher Hall (Edinburgh) in October 1982 a double album 'Fiddlers to the Fore' was made and issued in aid of the Cardio Thoracic Unit.

14 May 1983  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

9 July 1983  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

10 September 1983   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of Quarriers Homes. Soloists - Anne Lorne Gillies and James Nicol.

8 October 1983  Gaelic Mod concert in Motherwell, televised by BBC Scotland. Compere - Donny B. McLeod.

29 October 1983   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

November 1983  Two shows recorded for STV. Transmitted 30th November and 2nd January 1984.

31 December 1983 Live Performance on the STV Hogmanay Show.

16 March 1984  Sudden death of the Orchestra's Leader - William S. Dunlop. New Leader - William Cook.

7 April 1984  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of the Cardio-Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

19 May 1984   Concert in the Caird Hall Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

7 July 1984    Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of Cancer Research Campaign.

14 July 1984  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, as part of the entertainment for the World Bowls Championship.

15 September 1984   Concert in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, in aid of the RSSPCC, in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret.  The Orchestra had the honour of being presented to Her Royal Highness. A single album was issued of this concert - 'Tam O' Shanter and Cutty Sark'.

27 October 1984   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

14 - 18 December 1984   Recording of a series of six half-hour shows by STV for Channel 4 Television. Broadcast on August 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 1985.

6 April 1985  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardiac Unit.

18 May 1985  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of the Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

29 June 1985  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

9 August 1985  Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind Asylum and School.

14 September 1985   Concert in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Epilepsy Association of Scotland, with Percussionist - Evelyn Glennie.

26 October 1985   Concert in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

17 November 1985   Classical Aid - a nine-hour series of concerts given in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in aid of the 'Famine In Africa' appeal, in co-operation with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera Orchestra, Scottish Philharmonic Singers et al. Compere - Bill McCue. The entire nine hours were broadcast on BBC. This programme won two major awards at the New York International Festival, the Gold Medal in the Special Event category and the Grand Award the best overall entertainment programme. A twenty-minute excerpt from the concert was transmitted on BBC 2 television later in the evening.

5 April 1986  Concert in the Capitol, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardio Thoracic Unit.

April 1986  An article about the SFO appeared in the "Runway Magazine", published in Yorkshire.

10 May 1986  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

17 May 1986  Gala concert to celebrate the opening of the re-furbished Music Hall Aberdeen. Accompanied by Bill McCue, Andy Stewart and Mary O'Hara (harpist). The Overture 'Prince of the Mists' was commissioned for this event and performed for the first time.

28 June 1986  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

1 August 1986  Concert in association with the Commonwealth Arts Festival in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of The Royal Blind Asylum and School.

August 1986  Suite 'The Spirit of Strathisla' composed by John Mason commissioned by Strathisla Distillery to commemorate their 200th anniversary. A video was produced by Chivas Bros. as a commemorative item, using the music.

6 September 1986   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

25 October 1986   Concert in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campai gn.

1 January 1987    John Mason awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List, for  "services to charity through music". The Honour was presented to John by H.M. The Queen at Buckingham Palace in March 1987.

4 April 1987   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Aberdeen Cardiac Unit.

18 April 1987   Sudden death of Rev. James Currie - Compere.

April 1987   Article about the SFO printed in "The Scots Magazine".

16 May 1987   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

27 June 1987   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

19 September 1987   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

24 October 1987   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign.

2 April 1988   Concert in the Music Hall Aberdeen, in aid of the Rev. James Currie Memorial Trust.

28 May 1988   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

18 June 1988   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools.

25 June 1988   A section of the Orchestra played at Blenheim Palace to entertain guests of ICI.

23 July 1988   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on behalf of the Clan Mackay Society celebration; proceeds donated to St. Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh, and Highland Hospice, Inverness.

August 1988   Partial financial support of the Orchestra's annual Concert Series given by Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

August 1988   A section of the Orchestra played at Wilton Castle, at a Silver Wedding celebration.

10 September 1988   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

22 October 1988   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of Cancer Research.

18 January 1989   A section of the Orchestra played at The Erskine Bridge Hotel at a Burn's Night Supper on behalf of Tennent Caledonian Breweries.

18 February 1989   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of The Children's Hospice Trust. Compact Disc issued - 'The Fiddler's Party'.

1 April 1989   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of the British Foundation's Heart Start appeal.  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police.

24 June 1989   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, accompanied by the pipes, drums and dancers of the Royal Caledonian Schools. The 'Fiddlers Express' train journey to London and the Concert were video recorded for transmission on or about St Andrew's Night, 1989.

9 September 1989   Concert in the City Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

21 September 1989   Part of the Orchestra played for the European Pancreatic Association meeting in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow.

28 October 1989   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of Cancer Research.

26 November 1989   STV and Border TV broadcast of 'Fiddlers' Tracks' - a record of the train journey by the "Fiddlers' Express" to the June Concert in the Royal Albert Hall.

30 November 1989   STV, Border and Grampian TV broadcast on St Andrews' Day of the Royal Albert Hall Concert, June 1989.


CONCERTS THROUGHOUT THE 90'S
 

1 January 1990   STV and Grampian TV re-transmission of London Concert.

17 January 1990   Part of the Orchestra played at the Erskine Bridge Hotel for our sponsor's meeting of Managers.

17 February 1990   Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of The Lord Mayor's Charities.

6-8 April 1990   Tenth Anniversary celebration. Banquet in the Elphinstone Hall, The University of Aberdeen, followed on 7th April by the Concert in the Music Hall in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Jack Webster (Glasgow Herald) introduced the item 'Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen' sung by James Nicol and recounted the origins of the song. On Sunday 8th April a Songs of Praise and Re-Dedication of the Orchestra was held in the Music Hall, with the Rev Dr. K. Dupar and Rev. Fr. Eamon Gilmartin conducting the service, attended by the congregation of the Fiddle Kirk and Friends of the Orchestra.

18 April 1990    Part of the Orchestra played in the City Chambers, Glasgow, at the meeting of The British Orthopaedic Society.

19 May 1990  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund, accompanied by the City of Dundee Police Pipe Band.  The Orchestra's first video taken from the Aberdeen Concert  was issued  - 'The Northern Lights'.

23 June 1990  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of the Royal Scottish Corporation and the Royal Caledonian Schools.  Accompanied as usual by the dancers, pipers and drummers of the Schools.

20 July 1990   Scottish Evening in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, to welcome participants and their assistants to the European Olympics. Accompanied by Bill McCue, Carluke Caledonian Pipe Band and Special primary school Scottish Country Dancers from Aberdeen.

16 September 1990   Concert in week of celebration of Lanark's artistes, with Mary Sandeman, David Baillie and Robbie Shepherd.  At the Memorial Hall, Lanark for the opening of the 850th Anniversary of gaining Royal Burgh status.

27 October 1990   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind School and Asylum.

30 November 1990   Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in Glasgow's Cultural Capital of Europe Year, in aid of The Ileostomy Association. Sheila Carswell soprano. Joined by The Boys of The Lough as a link between Glasgow and Dublin's Cultural Capital Year, 1991, and by the Bagad Kemper Pipe and Drum Band and Dancers from Brittany.

16 February 1991  Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of Charities.

6 April 1991  Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, in aid of Charities.

18 May 1991  Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee, in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

22 June 1991  Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of and supported by The Royal Caledonian Schools.

30 August 1991  Concert in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of The Royal National Institute for the Blind (Northern Ireland Branch) and The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (Northern Ireland Branch). Recorded by Ulster Television for later transmission.

31 August 1991  Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, in aid of Our Lady's Hospice, Dublin. Recorded by Radio Telefis Eirann for later transmission.

1 September 1991   Concert in Courtown, Eire, on the occasion of Town Twinning celebrations between Courtown and Oban.

28 September 1991   Concert in The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in aid of the Ileostomy Association.

26 October 1991  Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, in aid of the Royal Blind School. The Orchestra released the title 'Over the Water ' - a record of its 1991 Irish Tour - available on video, cassette and CD.

22 January - 3 February 1992   A section of the Orchestra played at Burns Suppers in New Delhi and Bombay India.

15 February 1992  Concert in the Town Hall, Birmingham, in aid of charity.

25 April 1992   Concert in the Music Hall, Aberdeen. A cheque was presented to 'The Friends of Gomel', an Aberdeen-based charity which seeks to help children who were affected by the radio-active fall-out from Chernobyl.

16 May 1992   Concert in the Caird Hall, Dundee in aid of Tayside Police Benevolent Fund.

20 June 1992   Concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London in aid of the Royal Scottish Corporation and the Royal Caledonian Schools. This Concert is notable for the fact that it had to be abandoned at the interval due to successive, and apparently reliable telephone warnings of a bomb being on the premises. For the first time in its long history, the Albert Hall had to be evacuated quickly and safely. It would appear, however, that the reports were either false or malicious.

17 July 1992   Concert in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, in aid of The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children (N.I.) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (N.I.). Compere - Jim McColl.

18 July 1992   Concert in the Rialto Entertainment Centre, Londonderry, in aid of the Foyle Hospice. Compere - Jim McColl.

26 September 1992   Concert in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow - the 'Betty Innes Memorial Concert'. Mrs Innes had organised the Glasgow Concert in aid of the Ileostomy Association for many years.

31 October 1992   Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in aid of the Royal Blind School. John Mason having taken ill, the Orchestra was conducted by Andrew McGarva - Deputy Conductor.

Since this date The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra have full filled their annual schedule of six major concerts in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dublin, Birmingham and London. The Orchestra has also taken on a tour of Canada and is planning future foreign tours in the years to come. There have also been many releases of titles both as albums on audio casssette and compact disc, as well as a full range of videos and SFO memorabilia.


ACCOMPANYING ARTISTES
 

Soprano: Mary Sandeman, Anne Lorne Gillies, Pat Carter, Sheila Carswell, Helen MacArthur, Patricia Hay

Tenor: James Nicol, Peter Morrison, David Baillie, Kenneth McKellar, Ben Lyons

Compere: Rev. James Currie,   Magnus Magnusson, John Carmichael, Jim McColl, Donny B. McLeod, Robbie Shepherd, Steve Hamilton

Bass: Bill McCue

Duettists/Harpist/Accompanist: Betty Henderson, Rhona MacKay, James Thomas, Reesa McGinn, Mary O'Hara, Rina Lyle, Gerry Crean, Audrey McKay, Anne Clarke

Percussionist/Piper/Organist: Evelyn Glennie, John McCulloch, David Low, Stuart Anderson, Alastair McDonald


ACCOMPANYING GROUPS

Caledonian Schools Dancers, Pipes Drums and Dancers of the Royal Boys of The Lough, Bagad Kemper Pipe and Drum Band and Garrykennedy Heritage Players


PRIMARY UK & IRISH VENUES

Music Hall, Aberdeen : Kelvin Hall Glasgow : Usher Hall, Edinburgh : City Halls, Perth : Caird Hall, Dundee : Royal Albert Hall, London : Govan Town Hall : Motherwell Civic Centre : Capitol Theatre, Aberdeen : Blenheim Palace : Wilton Castle : Town Hall, Birmingham : Bute Hall, Glasgow University : City Halls, Glasgow : Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow : City Chambers, Glasgow : S.E.C.C., Glasgow : Ulster Hall, Belfast : National Concert Hall, Dublin : Rialto Entertainment Centre, Londonderry


BENEFITING CHARITIES

Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, British Digestive Foundation, Cancer Research Campaign, Tayside Police Benevolent Fund, Scottish Epilepsy Association, Ileostomy Association, Cardio-Thoracic Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Quarrier's Homes, The Royal Blind Asylum and School, Edinburgh Classical Aid, The Royal Scottish Corporation and The Royal Caledonian Schools (London), The Rev. James Currie Memorial Trust St Columba's Hospice (Edinburgh) and The Highland Hospice (Inverness), The Childrens' Hospice (Birmingham), British Heart Foundation HeartStart Appeal, The Lord Mayor's Charities (Birmingham), The Royal National Institute for the Blind, The Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children, Our Lady's Hospice (Dublin), The Foyle Hospice (Londonderry), md (N.I.) ldren (N.I.)


FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Players receive no remuneration for Concert or Broadcast work apart from part payment of travel or accommodation expenses.

Over the nineteen years of the Orchestra's existence the members have raised approaching one million pounds for Charity.


RADIO

BBC 31 December 1980 : 31 December 1981 : 23 November 1982 : 31 December 1982 : 17 November 1985


TELEVISION

BBC
8 October 1983 : 17 November 1985 : STV 2 September 1982 : 31 December 1982 : 3 January 1983 : 18 May 1983 : 22 August 1983 : 30 November 1983 : 31 December 1983 : 2 January 1984 (3 repeats) : 24 October 1984 : 31 August 1985

STV
26 November 1989 : 30 November 1989

UTV
1 January 1990

(The above programmes were also broadcast by Grampian and Border TV)

CH4
31 August 1985 : 7 September 1985 : 14 September 1985 : 21 September 1985

STV
28 September 1985 : 5 October 1985

 

RECORDINGS

A Toast to Bon Accord  ~ LP

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra At The Royal Albert Hall  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

The Scottish Fiddlers' Prom  ~ CASSETTE

Fiddlers To The Fore  ~ CASSETTE

Tam O' Shanter and Cutty Sark  ~ CASSETTE

Fiddlers' Fayre  ~ CASSETTE

Prince of The Mists  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

The Fiddler's Party  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

The Northern Lights  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

Over the Water  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

Festival City  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

Let Glasgow Flourish  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

The Legendary Scottish Fiddle Orchestra   ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

Canada O Canada  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Plays Toronto  ~ CASSETTE, CD & VIDEO

 
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