Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens In brief Date - 6 August 2023 Venue - Princes Street Gardens Festival - Edinburgh International Festival Read more about the event on EIF's website About the event In this joyful celebration of Scotland’s homegrown music scene, Edinburgh International Festival Director Nicola Benedetti has assembled some of Scotland’s fiercest young talent for an energetic afternoon of music making. On the second day of the celebrations, you can soak up the sounds of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland on the satellite stages from 2pm. These performances are unticketed, just stroll through the gardens and enjoy the music. The weekend culminates in a set from the thrilling GRIT Orchestra and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the Ross Bandstand at 3pm. This final performance is ticketed. Performing their unique blend of Celtic and world music traditions, including a new world premiere accompanied by over 100 young people, GRIT will kick off the Festival with a truly memorable manifestation of our first week’s theme: community over chaos. Supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart and EventScotland. About the performer Born in 1976, Fraser Fifield is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Scotland, performing on low whistle, saxophone, and bagpipes. His distinctive instrumental voice draws influence from many sources; Scottish folk is identifiably present but also Jazz, Indian, Balkan and more. He currently holds the post of Traditional Artist in Residence at Edinburgh University. From the mid-90’s, Fraser has worked with many artists in the Scottish folk scene, including Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Capercaillie, and Karen Matheson, while further afield, Zakir Hussein, Afro-Celt Sound-System, Balkanopolis, and Nordanians. In 2014, his low whistle featured on Montenegro’s Eurovision entry song, followed in 2015 with an award from Hands Up for Trad for Innovation in Scottish Traditional Music. Celtic Connections Festival 2020 commissioned ‘Secret Histories’, performed in its opening concert by the 70-strong Grit Orchestra. Find out more about Fraser Fifield on his website Read our interview with Fraser How to attend This event is free and open to all. It is unticketed, so no registration is required. Are you interested in Celtic and Scottish Studies? We offer three undergraduate degrees and a number of postgraduate programmes, both taught and research-led, drawing on excellent teaching and research and access to world-leading collections and archives. Find out more about Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh Aug 06 2023 14.00 - 16.30 Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens A unique and exciting set from GRIT Orchestra, featuring Fraser Fifield (LLC's Traditional Artist in Residence), as part of the opening weekend celebrations for the Edinburgh International Festival. Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 2HG Find the venue on Google Maps Read more on EIF's website
Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens In brief Date - 6 August 2023 Venue - Princes Street Gardens Festival - Edinburgh International Festival Read more about the event on EIF's website About the event In this joyful celebration of Scotland’s homegrown music scene, Edinburgh International Festival Director Nicola Benedetti has assembled some of Scotland’s fiercest young talent for an energetic afternoon of music making. On the second day of the celebrations, you can soak up the sounds of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland on the satellite stages from 2pm. These performances are unticketed, just stroll through the gardens and enjoy the music. The weekend culminates in a set from the thrilling GRIT Orchestra and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the Ross Bandstand at 3pm. This final performance is ticketed. Performing their unique blend of Celtic and world music traditions, including a new world premiere accompanied by over 100 young people, GRIT will kick off the Festival with a truly memorable manifestation of our first week’s theme: community over chaos. Supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart and EventScotland. About the performer Born in 1976, Fraser Fifield is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Scotland, performing on low whistle, saxophone, and bagpipes. His distinctive instrumental voice draws influence from many sources; Scottish folk is identifiably present but also Jazz, Indian, Balkan and more. He currently holds the post of Traditional Artist in Residence at Edinburgh University. From the mid-90’s, Fraser has worked with many artists in the Scottish folk scene, including Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Capercaillie, and Karen Matheson, while further afield, Zakir Hussein, Afro-Celt Sound-System, Balkanopolis, and Nordanians. In 2014, his low whistle featured on Montenegro’s Eurovision entry song, followed in 2015 with an award from Hands Up for Trad for Innovation in Scottish Traditional Music. Celtic Connections Festival 2020 commissioned ‘Secret Histories’, performed in its opening concert by the 70-strong Grit Orchestra. Find out more about Fraser Fifield on his website Read our interview with Fraser How to attend This event is free and open to all. It is unticketed, so no registration is required. Are you interested in Celtic and Scottish Studies? We offer three undergraduate degrees and a number of postgraduate programmes, both taught and research-led, drawing on excellent teaching and research and access to world-leading collections and archives. Find out more about Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh Aug 06 2023 14.00 - 16.30 Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens A unique and exciting set from GRIT Orchestra, featuring Fraser Fifield (LLC's Traditional Artist in Residence), as part of the opening weekend celebrations for the Edinburgh International Festival. Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 2HG Find the venue on Google Maps Read more on EIF's website
Aug 06 2023 14.00 - 16.30 Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens A unique and exciting set from GRIT Orchestra, featuring Fraser Fifield (LLC's Traditional Artist in Residence), as part of the opening weekend celebrations for the Edinburgh International Festival.
