This is a past event
Elphinstone Institute Public Lecture Series
This lecture will highlight different areas where the instrument displays its versatility and power:
- The physical aspect of how different tonal techniques allow a variety of musical styles to be played in a characteristic way e.g. slow airs through to powerful and raucous reels. James Alexander will explain how different tonality is produced and will play some tunes to demonstrate this.
- How the fiddle has influenced and shaped the lives of so many people, both exponents and listeners. This will include brief examples of around 4 exponents whose lives have been directly affected by their love of, and ‘connection’ to, the instrument.
- How the fiddle has the power to attract so many people to celebrate the playing of its music e.g. NAFCo, Fiddle 2013 and the many Fiddle Festivals and Camps which exist worldwide.
James Alexander lives in Spey Bay in Moray, he is widely acknowledged as a leading exponent and teacher of Scots Fiddle. Many of his pupils have gone on to study the instrument and are now respected performers and teachers themselves.
An adjudicator at most major Scots Music competitions including the National Mod and the prestigious Glenfiddich Open at Blair Castle, he is also in demand to present masterclasses and workshops. In recent years James has been involved with Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute having taught at their William Marshall commemorative celebrations and also as part of the planning team for the first North Atlantic Fiddle Convention.
In the early 1980’s James formed the Fochabers Fiddlers, a group of around 35 young fiddlers with an energetic approach to Scottish and Celtic music. They have undertaken nine North American tours and four tours in Europe displaying a modern approach to traditional music. When not devoting his time to the Fiddlers, James records as a soloist for two of Scotland’s main record companies and is in demand as a session musician and producer. He was the founder of Speyfest, a highly successful celtic music festival, which is now in its 19th year.
James was syllabus coordinator and adviser to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Traditional Graded Music Exam project and currently serves as an examiner and masterclass presenter at the Conservatoire. James received an MBE for services to traditional music in the Queen’s birthday honours of 2011.
- Speaker
- James Alexander, Fochabers Fiddlers
- Hosted by
- Elphinstone Institute
- Venue
- MacRobert Building, MR051