By Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer

DUNDEE’S TRADITIONAL music community has received a boost with news that the prestigious Living Tradition Summer Schools are moving to Dundee.

The summer schools— a series of five week-long courses primarily aimed at adults looking to improve their traditional musical technique and dance abilities, but also catering for the children of participant adults—will take place this month and next at the West Park Centre.

They will bring an influx of visitors to the city, many from abroad, to take advantage of teaching from some of the best musical talents in Scotland.

Another announcement comes with the Traditional Arts Apprenticeships scheme, set up with £9000 from Awards For All.

Under the new scheme, pupils will be involved in workshop tutorials and follow-up tuition through contact with teachers all year round.

Among the instruments being taught at the summer schools, from beginner to masterclass, are fiddle, mandolin, guitar, pipes, whistle, song, step dance and ceilidh dance.

Included in the programme is a series of concerts featuring Perthshire fiddler Pete Clark, banjo player Peter Coe and others.

Living Tradition Summer Schools have been running in Ayrshire since 2002, and the decision to move to Dundee was made unanimously after organisers visited West Park earlier this year.

The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Scheme, to be launched during the summer schools, will help bridge various gaps: between formal and informal education; between cultural practice and commercial music.

Summer school organiser Peter Heywood said, “There are no age barriers. No generation has a monopoly on skill, although we recognise that traditions are often passed from the older generation to the younger.

“We’re looking for people whose children have moved away and are picking up their old guitars or fiddles and giving them a fresh impetus to start playing again.”

One of the principal weeks during the summer schools is Common Ground Scotland which, as well as teaching traditional music, explores the relevance of music to our daily lives and wider issues through dialogue.

Peter added, “Many of the participants come from Scotland but typically we have seen attendees coming from all over the UK and Ireland and also Europe, America and Australia.”

The main weeks in Dundee are Traditional Music, Dance and Song Week (July 12-17), Guitar and Instrumental Week (July 19-24) and Common Ground Scotland (Aug 2-7).

For details see website www.livingtradition.org.uk or call 07795 233 920.