Support needed for those who fight to keep traditional music alive in Falkirk

The Falkirk Traditional Music Project (FTMP), part of Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative programme, provides free Scottish traditional instruments, tuition and the chance to regularly play together for young people between the ages of 7 to 17.

Throughout this year’s COVID-19 lockdown, the FTMP team devised new and ever more creative ways of enabling the youngsters to continue developing their skills on their instruments and to meet together regularly online to make music.

An FTMP spokesperson said: “For young people in Falkirk, this is the only project offering the chance to learn an instrument and play with others without the barrier of cost.

“In recent times the funding for the project in this current academic year of 2020/21 has been cut. This will lead to a loss of several weeks' tuition and ensemble work.”

So the FTMP is petitioning Scottish secretary for finance Kate Forbes and Scottish secretary for economy, fair work and culture Fiona Hyslop in an effort to restore the funding for this academic year.

“This will allow our young people to continue getting together and making music during this extremely challenging time for them.”

FTMP subsequently received a response from Fiona Hyslop – however, there was no indication of immediate funding to restore the project to its original timetable.

Visit the Protect Falkirk Trad Music Project page on Facebook for more information.