The Oban and Lorne Strathspey and Reel Society is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a special Fiddlers’ Rally Concert later this week.
The society says it is excited to welcome more than 50 musicians to the Argyllshire Gathering Halls for its annual concert on Saturday at 7.30pm.
It will feature a wealth of local talent, headlined by Elizabeth and Alan Jack from Mull, Sarah Garvin from Oban, and piper Lily Robertson, as well as many others from as far north as Thurso, Fife and Ayrshire, alongside pupils from Oban High School.
The programme – a mix of old and newer traditional Scottish music – also includes tunes from around the globe, such as a set of Swedish dances. The ticket price is £10, with under 15s free.
Oban and Lorne Strathspey & Reel Society was founded in 1944 by the late Charlie Hunter. The inaugural concert was held in 1945 and the chairman was the Rev Willie MacDonald.
In 1968, it was decided to hold an annual rally, attracting fiddlers from all parts of the country and the first National MOD Fiddlers Rally was held in 1970 at the Royal National Mod in Oban.
The society celebrated its 60th anniversary Jubilee Concert in the Corran Halls, Oban in 2004, when nearly 100 musicians took part and were conducted by Daphne Campbell. A CD of the concert was recorded and has become a bestseller.
Today, the society is a group of fiddlers and accordionists, together with other string and wind instruments, enjoying mainly Scottish traditional music.
Charlie Hunter was well known for his composition, the Hills of Lorne, to which Anne Lorne Gilles added some fine lyrics. The tune is a firm favourite with the society and is played as their signature tune at their many concerts.
The society is still thriving 80 years on, with new members joining each year.
It meets on a Thursday evening from September to April at 7.30pm in Oban Guide Hall, welcoming musicians of all abilities – not only fiddle and accordion players, but also flautists and guitarists. If you wish to join, please email obanlornesrs@gmail.com or message on social media.
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