Fife Festival of Music News
News Update
At the recent AGM George Grant stepped down as a Trustee and committee member, solely for health reasons. In recognition of his invaluable help and service to Fife Festival of Music for over twenty five years, the Trustees and committee are very pleased to announce the appointment of George Grant as an Honorary President. George was asked to join the committee on his retiral as Rector of Buckhaven High School in 1997. Within a few years George became Vice Chairman a position he held until 2014. With the introduction of OSCR in 2006 office bearers became trustees of whom George was one. After resigning as Vice Chairman George remained a Trustee and has been a huge help when it came to dealing with the constitution and steering the Festival through the intricacies of data protection changes. The Trustees and committee are sorry to lose George as a member but, delighted he is to be an Honorary President.
42nd Fife Festival of Music 29th January-9th February 2024
We are pleased to announce that plans for the 2024 January - February Festival, which will take place in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and North East Fife, are well underway and entries have now closed.
To view the Prospectus click here
To view the Prospectus click here
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary, 2021 – 2024
Year 3 Update
The year 3 award of the John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary has been made to Robbie Dowall of Dunfermline.
The Bursary commemorates Fife musician John (Jack) Deas and aims to support and enhance the professional studies of a young Fife musician. Robbie will commence his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September 2023.
Robbie Dowall has just completed his 6th Year at Woodmill High School in Dunfermline where throughout his time attending school, he participated in the Wind Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Group and Soul band. During this time, he also participated in several regional ensembles starting with the West Area Wind Band, moving on to the Fife Schools Wind Band and laterally the Fife Youth Concert Band, Fife Youth Orchestra and the Fife Youth Orchestra Brass Ensemble in all of which he has been Principal trombone for the last 3 years.
Robbie was winner of the Fife Festival of Music 2023 Young Musician class and of the Fife area heat of the Scottish Young Musician competition, and represented Fife in the final at the RCS in May.
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary is managed by Fife Festival of Music. www.ffom.org.uk
Graeme Wilson
Chair, FFoM
28 July 2023
chair@ffom.org.uk
41st Fife Festival of Music 31st January-10th February 2023
FIFE FESTIVAL of MUSIC returned on 31st january alive and raring to go. After the disappointment a year ago of the cancellation of the 2022 Festival in the face of mounting COVID-19 issues, FFoM 2023 took place from Tuesday 31st January until Friday 10th February in venues in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. Click below for a full report.
Family Funday at Fife Festival of Music
Sunday 20th November, Noon until 4pm Kirkcaldy High School
We were back for the eighth Family Funday of Musicmaking promoted by Fife Festival of Music with lots of fun to interest people of all ages.
A musical funday for all the family with workshops and performances - Full details can be found here
We were back for the eighth Family Funday of Musicmaking promoted by Fife Festival of Music with lots of fun to interest people of all ages.
A musical funday for all the family with workshops and performances - Full details can be found here
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary, 2021 - 2024
Year 2 Update
The year 2 award of the John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary has been made to Leah Burgess of Dunfermline.
The Bursary commemorates Fife musician John (Jack) Deas and aims to support and enhance the professional studies of a young Fife musician. Leah will commence her studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September 2022.
Leah Burgess has just completed her final year at Dunfermline High School where she received the Advanced Higher Music Dux Award and was also a Music Ambassador. Leah participated in a wide range of musical activities both in school and in Fife-wide opportunities.
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary is managed by Fife Festival of Music. www.ffom.org.uk
Graeme Wilson
Chair, FFoM
28 July 2022
chair@ffom.org.uk
The year 2 award of the John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary has been made to Leah Burgess of Dunfermline.
The Bursary commemorates Fife musician John (Jack) Deas and aims to support and enhance the professional studies of a young Fife musician. Leah will commence her studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September 2022.
Leah Burgess has just completed her final year at Dunfermline High School where she received the Advanced Higher Music Dux Award and was also a Music Ambassador. Leah participated in a wide range of musical activities both in school and in Fife-wide opportunities.
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary is managed by Fife Festival of Music. www.ffom.org.uk
Graeme Wilson
Chair, FFoM
28 July 2022
chair@ffom.org.uk
Letter from the Chairman
Fife Festival of Music
PO Box 26800
KIRKCALDY
Fife KY2 5UG
Email: enquiries@ffom.org.uk
Fife Festival of Music January/February 2022
With the heaviest of hearts and with great sadness and regret, Fife Festival of Music announces today the cancellation of the 2022 Festival scheduled from 31st January to 11th February 2022.
In June 2021, the Festival’s organizing committee set in motion its plans for the return of the main Festival for Jan/Feb 2022 and did so with the sincerest of motives and highest aims reflecting its work in the community of music making in Fife.
Those plans came to fruition with the publication in August 2021 of the Prospectus for 2022 and Committee members were delighted with the entry level of over 420 by the closing date of October 8th. The Committee thanks all those who had entered and showing interest in and commitment to the Festival.
All of the preparatory work at that time was undertaken within an expectation that the COVID-19 infection and consequences would fall significantly, that vaccinations would see off the danger and that there would be a swift and growing return to normal. Sadly, on present evidence, this is not the case and with unsecured guarantees of safety during the remaining two months prior to the Festival’s start date, the Committee has reconsidered its position.
The upshot is that the Fife Festival of Music will not take place in January/February 2022 as planned. This decision has not been taken lightly. Indeed, it is a decision laced with regret, sadness and heavy hearts. However, for the greater safety of all involved, it has to be regarded as the proper course of action. The Festival embraces a large community with an age range from 5 to 80 plus – entrants, whether individuals or in large groups of school students or adults etc, teachers, parent helpers, audiences, officials, committee, stewards, adjudicators, venue, catering and transport staff etc, and the organisers carry a huge responsibility for the safety of each and every one of those people. There are many scenarios within the Festival events with groups of young people and/or adults amassing, moving about, often within relatively confined spaces, creating challenges for social distancing and safety. Sessions at the Festival, before, during and after, are busy and the close proximity of many people involved has been a major consideration in this deliberation and decision. An additional challenge for 2022 was the use of venues less known or unknown, as such with associated difficulties.
FFoM will do everything in its power to return to action as soon as possible. For now, the Festival community must stay safe along with everyone else in the country in the enduring hope that recovery will prevail and normality will return.
Issued by Graeme Wilson on behalf of the Trustees and Committee of Fife Festival of Music.
26 November 2021
www.ffom.org.uk
Earlier News
Fife Festival of Music was all set to re-emerge in 2022, January 31st until 11th February, in venues across Fife. Sadly as intimated above this is no longer the case.
After the launch of the Prospectus in the middle of August with a closing entry date of 8th October, a healthy 424 entries had been received.
As a gesture of goodwill, all participants were able to enter without charge: no entry fees to take part in 2022 and soloists, duets, community groups of ensembles, choirs, orchestras, bands etc, school groups, all have been welcomed into the pot of entries from which it was hoped would emerge in January a vibrant and lively timetable of music making.
The move by FFoM committee to remove participant entry fees for 2022 (only!) was designed to encourage interest and involvement – and it worked! This apparent loss of entry income would have been subsidized by grants from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Fife Charities Trust along with financial support from the Friends of Fife Festival.
After the launch of the Prospectus in the middle of August with a closing entry date of 8th October, a healthy 424 entries had been received.
As a gesture of goodwill, all participants were able to enter without charge: no entry fees to take part in 2022 and soloists, duets, community groups of ensembles, choirs, orchestras, bands etc, school groups, all have been welcomed into the pot of entries from which it was hoped would emerge in January a vibrant and lively timetable of music making.
The move by FFoM committee to remove participant entry fees for 2022 (only!) was designed to encourage interest and involvement – and it worked! This apparent loss of entry income would have been subsidized by grants from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Fife Charities Trust along with financial support from the Friends of Fife Festival.
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary, 2021 - 2024
Latest Update Year 1
The year 1 award of the John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary has been made to Gregor Dowall of Dunfermline.
The Bursary commemorates Fife musician John (Jack) Deas and aims to support and enhance the professional studies of a young Fife musician. As a trombonist, Gregor will commence his professional training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the Autumn of 2021.
Gregor Dowall has just completed his final year at Woodmill High School, Dunfermline where he was Head Boy during session 2020/2021.
The John Deas Memorial Brass Bursary is managed by Fife Festival of Music.
Graeme Wilson
Chair, FFoM
22 July 2021
chair@ffom.org.uk
Update from the Chairman
The 41st Fife Festival of Music was due to take place across Fife from 1st until 12th February, 2021. With planning starting in early summer 2020, there was no other option for the Committee but to cancel the event for 2021.
Festival platforms are populated by a wide range of participants, from schools – P1 through S6, solo instrumental and vocal performers of all ages and community groups – choirs, bands, orchestras and ensembles. Currently none of these is anywhere near live musical activity and the absence from the lives of many of active music making and important socialising is one of the major and serious drawbacks of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Festival sends its good wishes to all past participants, teachers, supporters, audiences, sponsors, donors and Friends and hopes to welcome all back in the near future.
Everyone is looking ahead to better days in 2021 and Fife Festival of Music will be planning its return to the community, aiming for early 2022.
February 1 2021
www.ffom.org.uk
enquiries@ffom.org.uk
Festival platforms are populated by a wide range of participants, from schools – P1 through S6, solo instrumental and vocal performers of all ages and community groups – choirs, bands, orchestras and ensembles. Currently none of these is anywhere near live musical activity and the absence from the lives of many of active music making and important socialising is one of the major and serious drawbacks of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Festival sends its good wishes to all past participants, teachers, supporters, audiences, sponsors, donors and Friends and hopes to welcome all back in the near future.
Everyone is looking ahead to better days in 2021 and Fife Festival of Music will be planning its return to the community, aiming for early 2022.
February 1 2021
www.ffom.org.uk
enquiries@ffom.org.uk
Report from Chairman
The 40th AGM of Fife Festival of Music took place on 19th August 2020 on the digital platform Zoom when Members and Friends heard Chairman Graeme Wilson's positive and encouraging report on the year's activities.
The report encompassed the year since the 2019 AGM but was coloured by the recent decision (in recognition of current COVID-19-related restrictions to musical activity and crowd gatherings) to cancel the 2021 main Festival events. Nevertheless, FFoM had a successful year and the report reflected both that and the strong state, healthy condition and vibrancy of the Festival.
Success was noted at the seventh Festival Family Funday which took place in November 2019 at Leven's Parkhill Primary and proving very popular and successful. Support from the school and the local community was outstanding. As always, the afternoon concluded with a memorable recital given by Travelling by Tuba from Manchester.
Entries for the January/February events, the Festival's main block of work in the year, were on a par with the previous year and there were, once again, two weeks filled with music performances in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cupar. The Festival is truly one for the whole community and while many of the daytime slots are filled with school entries from Primary through to Senior school pupils, community groups dominate the evening sessions. One of the more popular events keeps growing. The Community Choir class, a non-competitive event, continues to attract entrants and requires two evenings to allow all to take part. Equally, the Community instrumental musicmaking class is a very busy evening.
The unfortunate flooding of part of the Adam Smith Theatre early in the first week may have dampened the floors but did not extend its damage to Festival operations. Although one day of operation was lost through closure of the building, Fife Cultural Trust and Fife Council worked extremely hard to repair the damage and allow the Festival to continue. Almost without exception, rescheduling of affected sessions and classes provided the opportunity for participants to take part.
FFoM's sincerity and integrity in offering trusted platform opportunities to musicians of all ages and stages continues to be a key aim of the organisation.
Financial news is always important at an AGM and Treasurer Jean Galloway presented her accounts and findings to the delight of those present. Healthy figures indicating good trading were well received, the caveat being that the Festival like many other similar organisations has to look carefully at how it proceeds. FFoM is fortunate to have many Friends and Donors, Sponsors and Advertisers who support throughout the year. Some major donations to the work of the Festival were acknowledged.
The immediate future for and activities of Fife Festival of Music will be determined by the state and the health of the nation as it navigates the challenges of COVID-19.
Graeme Wilson
Chair, Fife Festival of Music
2 September 2020
The report encompassed the year since the 2019 AGM but was coloured by the recent decision (in recognition of current COVID-19-related restrictions to musical activity and crowd gatherings) to cancel the 2021 main Festival events. Nevertheless, FFoM had a successful year and the report reflected both that and the strong state, healthy condition and vibrancy of the Festival.
Success was noted at the seventh Festival Family Funday which took place in November 2019 at Leven's Parkhill Primary and proving very popular and successful. Support from the school and the local community was outstanding. As always, the afternoon concluded with a memorable recital given by Travelling by Tuba from Manchester.
Entries for the January/February events, the Festival's main block of work in the year, were on a par with the previous year and there were, once again, two weeks filled with music performances in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cupar. The Festival is truly one for the whole community and while many of the daytime slots are filled with school entries from Primary through to Senior school pupils, community groups dominate the evening sessions. One of the more popular events keeps growing. The Community Choir class, a non-competitive event, continues to attract entrants and requires two evenings to allow all to take part. Equally, the Community instrumental musicmaking class is a very busy evening.
The unfortunate flooding of part of the Adam Smith Theatre early in the first week may have dampened the floors but did not extend its damage to Festival operations. Although one day of operation was lost through closure of the building, Fife Cultural Trust and Fife Council worked extremely hard to repair the damage and allow the Festival to continue. Almost without exception, rescheduling of affected sessions and classes provided the opportunity for participants to take part.
FFoM's sincerity and integrity in offering trusted platform opportunities to musicians of all ages and stages continues to be a key aim of the organisation.
Financial news is always important at an AGM and Treasurer Jean Galloway presented her accounts and findings to the delight of those present. Healthy figures indicating good trading were well received, the caveat being that the Festival like many other similar organisations has to look carefully at how it proceeds. FFoM is fortunate to have many Friends and Donors, Sponsors and Advertisers who support throughout the year. Some major donations to the work of the Festival were acknowledged.
The immediate future for and activities of Fife Festival of Music will be determined by the state and the health of the nation as it navigates the challenges of COVID-19.
Graeme Wilson
Chair, Fife Festival of Music
2 September 2020
For Minutes of AGM 2020 click here
A special message from the Committee of Fife Festival of Music
1st August 2020
To:
Friends of FFoM
Sponsors, Class Sponsors, Donors, Programme Advertisers
Volunteer Stewards
All Fife Schools - Headteachers, primary and secondary music teachers, Instrumental Instructors Fife Council Executive Director of Education and Children's Services
Fife Cultural Trust
Some adult group entrants
Logistics/Support: Design, Print, Venues, Piano Tuners, Removals
Press/Media: Local Editors, for publication
As a result of COVID-19 and taking account of many factors impacting on operational, admin and performance preparations, Fife Festival of Music is announcing the cancellation of its events late 2020/early 2021. The Festival's Funday in November has been cancelled and the main Festival block due in February 2021 will not take place. Everyone's safety is of paramount importance. It is with great regret and sadness that the Committee has made this decision, one which will affect music making, participation and fulfilment of the Festival's purpose.
Planning for the main January/February Festival events starts in the Spring of the previous year and by mid-August, all initial arrangements are in place. With so much uncertainty over so many aspects of life, with doubts over the long-term impact of social distancing, the behaviour of the virus itself, with question marks over availability of venues and, in particular, the great pressures on schools and their work, the Committee considered it inappropriate and impractical to pursue arrangements for February 2021.
Fife Festival of Music exists to support and encourage music making in the community and all those listed at the top of this letter are considered partners and team members in pursuit of the Festival's aims. The Festival Committee wishes to offer its thanks to all who participate and contribute to events and expresses its hope that there is full understanding of and sympathy with its decision. Be assured that the Festival will back in 2022 and will be seeking your support in whatever form possible. Meanwhile, FFoM will continue to look for any opportunities to allow it to offer platforms for music making.
The 41st Fife Festival of Music will take place between Monday 31st January and Friday 11th February 2022. Entries will close on 1st October 2021.
Graeme Wilson
Chair, Fife Festival of Music
Enquiries can be made to enquiries@ffom.org.uk
This is our 40th Anniversary Year
Fife Festival of Music enjoys the support of a great many elements in its locality - performers, parents/carers, teachers, volunteers at its events, as well as the aptly named Friends of the Festival and is grateful to all those who were part of this year's January/February Fife Festival of Music in Cupar, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. The publicity which the Festival receives at the hands of papers, on-line sites and voluntary organisations does a great deal to enhance its existence and for this we are also very grateful.
If you were unable to attend, you missed out on some great performances, some excellent musical sharing and a great chance to celebrate music making.
The Festival has changed in many ways since the first in 1981 but basic principles persist viz. providing a platform for the performance of music. Nowadays, there is an equal balance between competitive and non-competitive classes and a strong emphasis on encouragement and enjoyment in music making.
FFoM's next event is the popular Family Funday of Music now in its eight year, on Sunday 22nd November. The 2021 Festival will commence in the week beginning 1st February 2021.
Graeme Wilson Chairman
February 2020
If you were unable to attend, you missed out on some great performances, some excellent musical sharing and a great chance to celebrate music making.
The Festival has changed in many ways since the first in 1981 but basic principles persist viz. providing a platform for the performance of music. Nowadays, there is an equal balance between competitive and non-competitive classes and a strong emphasis on encouragement and enjoyment in music making.
FFoM's next event is the popular Family Funday of Music now in its eight year, on Sunday 22nd November. The 2021 Festival will commence in the week beginning 1st February 2021.
Graeme Wilson Chairman
February 2020
Press Launch - Fife Festival of Music 2020
Pupils from Madras College mixed voice choir
January 28th 2020 sees the start of the 40th Fife Festival of Music and the prospectus for the events during the January/February period is now available.
As always, the main aim is to provide a platform for performance, this year in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cupar. Opportunities for schools and community groups, individuals and ensembles are all catered for in both competitive and non-competitive classes and the Committee looks forward to welcoming participants and prospective audiences to ten days of exciting music-making.
Entry forms, which must be completed and returned by October 1st 2019, are available from schools, libraries and on-line, with early entries, received by September 15th, attracting a discount!
Further information can be found on the Festival’s website; ffom.org.uk and on Facebook and full details of the event will be available before things get underway in January.
Arrangements for the now firmly-established Family Fun-day in November 2019 are well underway; this will take place in Parkhll Primary School in Leven on Sunday 24th November when activities including music workshops, ‘come and try’ sessions in a variety of instruments e.g. ukulele, samba, drum kit, pipe band drumming will be available. The youngest family members can participate in drawing, face painting and enjoy the return of ‘Travelling by Tuba’.
Meantime, the committee looks forward to welcoming participants, friends and the wider community to the 40th Fife Festival of Music and hopes as many as possible will take the opportunity to join in the vibrant music-making event taking place in January/February 2020.
As always, the main aim is to provide a platform for performance, this year in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Cupar. Opportunities for schools and community groups, individuals and ensembles are all catered for in both competitive and non-competitive classes and the Committee looks forward to welcoming participants and prospective audiences to ten days of exciting music-making.
Entry forms, which must be completed and returned by October 1st 2019, are available from schools, libraries and on-line, with early entries, received by September 15th, attracting a discount!
Further information can be found on the Festival’s website; ffom.org.uk and on Facebook and full details of the event will be available before things get underway in January.
Arrangements for the now firmly-established Family Fun-day in November 2019 are well underway; this will take place in Parkhll Primary School in Leven on Sunday 24th November when activities including music workshops, ‘come and try’ sessions in a variety of instruments e.g. ukulele, samba, drum kit, pipe band drumming will be available. The youngest family members can participate in drawing, face painting and enjoy the return of ‘Travelling by Tuba’.
Meantime, the committee looks forward to welcoming participants, friends and the wider community to the 40th Fife Festival of Music and hopes as many as possible will take the opportunity to join in the vibrant music-making event taking place in January/February 2020.
