Highland Music Company

Feis Rois wins People's Millions!

DINGWALL-based charity, Fèis Rois, is celebrating winning almost £60,000 with help from the community.

The traditional music organisation fought off tough competition to win the cash in the Jubilee People’s Millions following a public vote.

The windfall means the charity will now be able to set up an innovative musical programme which will involve the creation of two new jobs for the area.

Chief executive of Fèis Rois, Fiona Dalgetty, said: "Thanks to enormous support from the community, Fèis Rois has secured Big Lottery funding to help us work with care homes, community groups, hospitals and libraries across Ross-Shire and the Highlands to enable people of all ages to make music."

The new Fonn nam Fèis project will see Fèis Rois, whose activities are usually focused on young people, reach a completely new age group. It will offer a year-round programme of activities, including: weekly instrumental classes, singing groups, and workshops in song writing and composition.

Kirsty-Anne Macfarlane (20) from Ullapool began attending Fèis Rois accordion classes when she was seven-years-old and now works for the charity as a project co-ordinator.

Kirsty-Anne said: "I would like to thank everyone who phoned in and voted for the Fonn nam Fèis project."

"I am delighted that Fèis Rois has secured this new funding. As someone who has participated in the Fèis all my life, I feel very strongly that everyone should have the chance to take part in Fèis Rois classes, workshops and performances, regardless of their age."

As well as the social, artistic and linguistic benefits of the project, the project will create two new jobs in Ross-Shire, a Musician in Residence and a Project Co-ordinator.

The economic impact of the fèisean movement was highlighted in a recent Highlands and Islands Enterprise study that showed it is worth an impressive £2m to the Highlands annually.

The Fonn nam Fèis project will get underway in the autumn and more details can be found on the Fèis Rois website at www.feisrois.org.

The Music Theatre Company Extends MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Through ...

Through May 13th

(Highland Park, IL) – Due to sold out performances, The Music Theatre Company, Highland Park’s equity theatre is extending – for a second and final time – its production of Stephen Sondheim & George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, directed and choreographed by Founding Artistic Director Jessica Redish. The production will run until May 13th at The Music Theatre Company at the Karger Center, 1850 Green Bay Road in Highland Park.

PERFORMANCE DATES 8pm on Monday, May 9, Wednesday, May 11 and Friday, May 13th

Jeff Nominee Andrew Mueller takes over the role of Charley Kringas, currently played by Alan Schmuckler. Mueller recently received a Jeff Nomination and rave reviews for his portrayal of Huck in Big River at BoHo Theatre.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by visiting: www.themusictheatrecompany.org or calling 847.579.4900.

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