Filska tune up for latest fiddle session

Aug 15 2008 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE second half of The Fiddle Tree’s 2008 concert programme in the Baronial Hall of Birnam House Hotel starts on Thursday when the vibrant young Shetland quartet Filska bring their high-spirited and innovative sound to Perthshire eyes and ears.

Filska, who have built their music on the islands’ tradition of fiddle playing, are Jenna Reid, fiddle, vocals and accordion; Bethany Reid, fiddle, vocals and piano; Gemma Wilson, fiddle and vocals; and Andrew Tulloch, guitar and vocals.The word ‘Filska’ comes from the local dialect and means ‘high spirited’.

From an early age, the three girls in the group played and performed Shetland music together at local events, accompanied by Joyce Reid, Bethany and Jenna’s mum, on piano. Throughout their upbringing in Shetland they were taught and greatly inspired by two of Shetland’s legendary fiddle players – Dr Tom Anderson MBE and Willie Hunter.

The young musicians have performed across Europe and in America and Canada. Their trip to the USA came as an invitation to represent Scotland at the Millennium Celebrations held in Disney’s Epcot Centre, Florida.

Filska’s most recent CD release, Thousand Miles Away, includes many of their own compositions.

The Birnam concert starts at 8pm and tickets are £8 in advance, or £10 on the door. For under-18s tickets cost £3 or two for a fiver. They are on sale at the usual local outlets: Birnam House Hotel (01350 727462), Zigzags, Dunkeld (01350 728666) and Birnam CD (01350 727158). Credit card bookings can be made online at www.thebooth.co.uk

The Fiddle Tree is a non-profit group promoting music and dance in the Birnam and Dunkeld area. For news or join the e-mailing list, visit www.thefiddletree.com