Common Ground Scotland
August 1st - August 6th, 2010
PLEASE NOTE: Information on this page currently relates to our 2009 event. Please use this as indicative only for our 2010 summer schools.
Tutors include: Pete Clark (fiddle), Neil Paterson (pipes, whistle), Jon Bennet, (Guitar, slow jams / dialogue) Willie Slavin, (Dialogue co-ordinator and 'Director of Fun') Merry Graham, (Dialogue), Ellen Elmes (Watercolour), Bernie Hewitt (Playing for Dance), Pete Shepheard (song), Bobby Robb (Song), Dr Klaus Bertsch (Wine appreciation), Sara Melville (fiddle) Colin McNab (harmonica), Don Elmes (Photography), Kirti Mandir (sculpture), Tom McConville (Alexander Technique / fiddle), Clive Harvey (Guitar, ukulele), Heather Heywood (Gospel Choir), Graeme Gass (Gospel/Blues Band), Nic Spencer (fiddle, ceilidh dance), Nigel Gatherer (mandolin), Pete Heywood (concert photography), John Sheldon (bluegrass banjo), Alan Mairs (Bluegrass fiddle & mandolin) and LOTS MORE.
We are also planning for a number of visiting musicians for workshops and masterclasses and currently working with our tutors to confirm programme details for 2009.
“Common Ground is about a dream. Not a day dream or a night dream, but a vision, and that dream is so practical and so relevant that it has this magnetic quality to attract us to fulfill it.” Dr. Ira G. Zepp, Jr.
"For my own part, I have been to many Summer Schools and Festivals but have never come away so fulfilled and uplifted by the totality of the experience quite like this one achieved. Tired? Yes! Exhilarated? Without a doubt!" - Willie Slavin
“After one week of whistle classes I can’t believe how much I have improved. Although there were people in the class much better than me, I was able to relax and learn at my own pace – I think I’ve done pretty well!” – Susie Heywood
“Blues night was brilliant! It’s great to see artists who’ve only just met performing together like that. I think that’s part of what makes Common Ground so unique” – Derek Chattelle
Some pictures from the Summer Schools taken by Pete Heywood are available on flickr.com Flickr is a website for photographers. The link will take you to a 'Set' taken by Pete Heywood. You will also find 'sets' of other weeks and other folk related photos of Pete's flickr site.
This link will take you to some photos from Common Ground 2009. Link to Common Ground 2009 photos on Flickr
Photos from previous years:
Link to Common Ground 2008 photos on Flickr
Click here for Common Ground Week, 2007 pictures
Common Ground Scotland is a Summer School for The Traditional Arts. It is much more than a series of workshops, or masterclasses, or concerts, or dances, or festival - although it will be all of these and more. Tutors, performers and participants will come from both sides of the Atlantic, giving people the opportunity to learn about their cultures both on their home ground and as visitors from a related tradition - the best of Scottish fiddle music alongside the fiddle Music of Ireland being just one example.
Some people will see Common Ground as a festival, though it will be more relaxed and less pressured than the normal hectic routine of a festival. Others may see it as a real learning opportunity or a source of inspiration for the long winter nights of practice on their instrument. Some may see it as a great holiday with plenty of interesting things on the menu. Others will see it as a place to make friendships that span national and cultural divides. However you view it, it will be an opportunity to meet people with similar interests and to share a wonderful week where music and the arts will be the 'Common Ground'.
Each day is filled with a variety of workshops, masterclasses, jam sessions, performances and social activities. The structure provides a flexibility which allows participants to pick and choose what they want to learn. From beginners whistle to a masterclass in guitar, there is something for everyone of all ages and levels of experience. Underpinning the whole arts experience is an ethos which encourages discussion and dialogue on issues relevant to our art and our culture. Common Ground is unique, and we encourage you to come and see for yourself what we have to offer.
Concerts @ Living Tradition Summer Schools
During Living Tradition Summer Schools we will be bringing masters of the traditional arts to Dundee. This will offer a unique chance to hear them on a concert stage and rub shoulders with them in informal sessions. All evening Concerts at our Summer Schools are open to the public. Please be at the venue at 7.30 for a 7.45 start.
Concerts will be followed by our ‘Late Night Extra’ sessions which are open to people who have a concert ticket for that evening. Concert tickets are £8. A ‘concert season ticket’ for a week is £25. (Concerts are included in the overall ticket for people who are participating in the full summer school programme)
Common Ground
Monday 3 Aug: Welcome to Scotland
Tuesday 4 Aug : Visitors Concert
Wednesday 5 Aug: Bluegrass and Old Time Concert
with Goldrush and New Redwing
Thursday 6 Aug: Common Ground Concert
with the Common Ground Gospel Choir and Special Guests. Followed by a Ceilidh.
Tickets are available Online with payments by PayPal or Credit Card.
Common Ground Concerts - Tickets £8
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Concert Season Ticket (Full Week)
All evening Concerts & Late Night Extras in any one week -Weekly Concert Season Ticket £25
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Registration is on Sunday afternoon. Our first meal is scheduled for 5.30pm in the Dining Room. In the evening there will be a 'Welcome Concert' and a chance to get to know your tutors and familiarise yourself with the venue and facilities.
Classes start at 9.15 on Monday morning and finish on Friday just before lunch. There will be a busy programme of evening activities and various social activities throughout the week
Common Ground Weekend
In previous years we have had a relaxing 'festival weekend' at the end of the Common Ground workshop week but there are no plans to have a festival in 2009. Next year perhaps!
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