The workshop will focus on playing for Scottish Country Dancing. Participants can expect a range of tunes, both old and more modern compositions with the focus on building up to the final performance at the Leeds Branch evening dance. This will be done through a focus on group work interspersed with hints and tips on how to effectively play for dancing. The music will be sent out early December to enable participants to familiarise themselves with the tunes to allow the focus on the day to be about playing these tunes together.
Susan MacFadyen hails from the west coast of Scotland and has been playing the accordion for over 30 years. She has led a successful dance band for the last 23 years, being crowned Scottish Dance Band of the year in 2018 at the Scots Trad Music Awards. She has recorded numerous BBC Radio Scotland Take the Floor broadcasts with her own band. In 2024 was asked to form and lead an all-female dance band called “The Reel Lassies” for a broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland to celebrate International Woman’s Day where Susan researched and arranged all the tunes which all had a female connection. She regularly plays for Scottish Country Dancing the length and breadth of the UK and beyond. She has been a staff musician at the RSCDS summer school in St Andrews for several years now and has also led the weeklong musicians’ course at the school. Susan enjoys playing a variety of traditional music, from old fiddle tunes to modern compositions. Susan’s first love is playing pipe music on the accordion, and she tries to incorporate pipe tunes into her repertoire at every opportunity possible
ALL INSTRUMENTS WELCOME. NO SCD EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.Music will be sent out prior to the day.
PROGRAMME
There will be short breaks in the morning and afternoon, as well as a lunch break. At the end of the day tea and coffee will be available.
In the evening there will be a social dance where workshop participants will provide the music alongside Susan.
Cost £40 (students £30), includes lunch and other refreshments.