MS IRENE WATT

MS IRENE WATT The University of Aberdeen School of Education Research PG pref irenewatt@abdn.ac.uk www.irenewatt.co.uk www.facebook.com/irenewatt.harpist www.myspace.com/irenewatt   pref Eiphinstone Institute MacRobert Building Kings College University of Aberdeen

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Web Links

www.myspace.com/irenewatt  If you are interested in my music and performances have a look and listen to some tracks on my CD. CDs are available from the Elphinstone Institute price £10.00. 

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Biography

I graduated from Aberdeen University in 1995 with my first degree MA Hons in English and Scottish Literature.   I returned in 2007 on the M.Litt programme in the Elphinstone Institute and am now writing up my PhD research which is an ethnomusicological study of indigenous lullabies (see below).

My passion is music, and in particular playing Clarsach and singing. Believe it or not, I built my harp, but most of the credit for that should go to Christoph Locherbach, our wonderful tutor on the harp building course, because believe me I am no carpenter.

I regularly work in schools on cultural projects involving music linking the arts across the curriculum for excellence. I really enjoy working with the children and have found that can motivate them to bring out their best performances.

I come from a long line of fisher folk from Gardenstown and have given many talks to clubs and groups about The Fisher Lassies or Herring Quines (Girls) and singing the songs about fisher life at sea or on the land.  This has resulted my being involved in television work and I appeared with Gareth Malone in Sea Songs and Shanties. I have also filmed with Melvin Bragg in The Reel History of Britain, due to be screened in September 2011, and just recently for The One Show teaching Carrie Grant to sing a song the fisher lassies sang.

 

 

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Research Interests

Lullabies; Sea Songs, Work Songs, Ballads; Melody; Oral History; Legend; Folklore

 

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Current Research

I am a PhD Researcher with the Elphinstone Institute and my area of research is Lullabies: A study of Form, Function and Performance. I have a questionnaire attached to this web page and I would be delighted if you would complete as part of my field research.

 

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Collaborations

2009 - Aberdeenshire Council Arts and Education Team  - Schools Projects

2010 - joint project with Josep Maria Esteve Flaubel, Head of Music, University of Alicante

2011 - St Josephs School, Aberdeen - Music Specialist working with children on performance

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Lullaby Questionnaire

• Click here to download my research questionnaire

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Conference Papers

• 38th International Ballad Conference, Cardiff University, Wales, UK. 28 July - 2 Aug 2008
• American Folklore Society Conference 2009, October 21-25, Boise, Idaho
• Òran 2010 Sang International Conference 1st - 4th June, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye
• Poster Presentation - American Folklore Society Conference 2010, Nashville.
  

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Musical Performances

24th November 2010 Buchan Society, Craigiebuckler Church, Aberdeen.  Appearing with Folk Group Halesome Farin.

25th November 2010 Lunch Time Concert at Cowdray Hall at 12.45

27-29th November 2010 Appearing at Festival of Village Carols, Sheffield.

1st December 2010 - Cottingham Live, Cottingham Folk Club, Nr Beverley, N. Yorkshire.

4th December 2010 - A Winters Tale with Jonny Coppin at Swanland, N Yorkshire.

9th December 2010 - Harps of Gold, A Celebration of Christmas Music at Kings College Chapel 7pm - Admission Free - Donations for Charity

17th June 2011 - Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington. 'Thank you for your wonderful workshop at the Peter Potter Gallery. That evening has rekindled a passion of mine in the language of the North-East.'  Ross Combe, Artist 

27th - 29th May - Portsoy Folk Festival

7th-10th July 2011 - Stonehaven Folk Festival.

24th Aug - 13th Sept 2011 - On Tour West Coast USA performing various venues in California, Oregon & Washington.

16th - 18 Sept 2011 - Trad on the Tyne Festival, Haddington, East Lothian.

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Festival Appearances

January 2010 - Celtic Connections Universal, Sauchiehall Lane, Glasgow - 8pm - Concert - Songs of Seafaring & Fishing - Irene Watt, Calum Alex MacMillan and Norrie MacIver

Orkney Folk Festival 2009 - Guest artist appearing with Doris Rougvie and Graham White as Freewheelin

Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend July 2009 - Guest Singer

Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society Fiddlers Rally - Guest Singer - see photo below

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Related Projects

Haddo House Project - 'Keek Back, Syne Haud Gaun' - working with 4 Schools - Tarves, Methlick, Barthol-Chapel, and Udny Green.  A 'rich task' project  where the objectives were: 

• wherein the experienced researcher (and musician) Irene Watt will introduce staff and pupils to her own work and various methods of researching local history – this may include use of material from the Formartine Oral History Project, looking at local worthies, places or events and will be leading towards using this material to write songs (4 sessions in each school).
• The Project will culminate in a performance by each School at Haddo House.

This project commenced July/August 2008 and culiminated in a final performance in November 2009 at Haddo House. 

 

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