Ceòlas hosted the first live music event since the onset of COVID-19

Abigail Taylor

Monday night (5th July 2021) saw some 50 people attend what is believed to be the first live music event with an audience to be held in the Western Isles since the onset of COVID-19.

Ceòlas hosted a piping recital in Southend Hall featuring musicians all aged under 30.

Last year the annual summer school and all associated events were cancelled because of COVID-19.

“It is fantastic to hear live music again as it really makes the blood pump through your veins,” said Mary Schmoller, Development Manager for Ceòlas.

“It was really interesting to see how subdued the audience was. It has been such a long time since people have been out and they are not normally as quiet, but I think it is because everything is low key and people were really paying attention and listening to the music.”

Performers included Ryan MacIntyre, Chloe Steele, Calum MacMillan, Joseph Nicholson and Seonaidh MacIntyre from South Uist. Mairead and Eòsaph Galbraith travelled to the event from Barra and Seonaidh Forrest and Gilleasbuig MacVicar from Skye. Finlay MacVicar from Grimsay also performed along with Kevin Beaton from Benbecula.

“I am glad that we had pipers come from Barra and Skye as well as it is so important for us to maintain that relationship across the islands. Everyone that played was brilliant, some regular performers and some new faces, but it was great to have them all here,” continued Mary.

Members of the audience were seated in ‘bubbles’ at safe distances within the hall, in line with restrictions on events to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“We have missed these events terribly,” added Mary.

“Normally we have the place covered in bunting and there is so much excitement but this year we have done our best and long may it last.

“Local pipers know that this is their training ground and that if they can get the audience to respond then they are doing well. Some of the players tonight we first watched when they were ten years old, so they have really grown as performers over the years. We knew then that they were good and tonight has demonstrated their talent.”

For the first time ever the annual Ceòlas summer school is being held online, with almost 100 students enrolled for classes offered in song, clarsach, step-dancing, piping, fiddle and Gaelic.

Tutors delivering virtual classes include Màiri MacInnes, Ailean Dòmhnallach, Fin Moore, Sophie Stephenson, Melody Cameron, Alasdair White, Troy MacGillivray, Ingrid Henderson and Eilidh Cormack.

“It has been received so well, much better than we expected. Classes have been booked in advance and we have not had to cancel any due to lack of interest,” added Mary.

“We have seen one or two broadband issues pop up but that cannot be helped. Everything else has gone like clockwork.”

Ceòlas is to host a second live music event, a concert with local band Beinn Lee, on 7th July 2021.