Royal National Mòd News

Soisgeul Choir is Back!

Published: 11 Mar 2020

​Soisgeul – the amazing Gaelic Gospel Choir - is back! And we are so pleased to be part of several events taking place in Inverness this weekend raising funds and awareness for the Royal National Mòd’s return to the Highland Capital later this year.

Mary Ann Kennedy will be joined once again by our guest director Gareth Fuller and pianist Paul Watson for two days of intensive (oh yes they are!) workshops, learning some more of our unique Gaelic interpretations of Gospel classics, and revisiting some old favourites.

Gareth – one of the UK’s top choral directors – is making his fourth visit to Scotland with Soisgeul, and he’s almost acclimatised now, having had the ‘bracing’ introduction of a first visit to Iona at the tail-end of winter three years ago!

If you’ve never heard us but ready for a life-affirming new experience, or you’ve heard us and can’t wait for more, there are two opportunities to hear us in action this weekend.

We are honoured to have the opportunity of singing a guest slot on Saturday night (14th March) at Jury’s Inn (the old Thistle Hotel) for the legendary Iain ‘Costello’ MacIver and New Tradition.

And please come and support us in the Eastgate Centre on Sunday 15th! We’ll be singing an hour set with Gareth and Paul at the ‘Blue Wall’ (near Waterstone’s) from 2pm. O Happy Day!

Soisgeul gratefully acknowledge the support of Creative Scotland and the Tasgadh fund for this event.

www.soisgeul.com

www.facebook.com/gaelicgospelchoir

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Mod Academy is Launched

Published: 05 Mar 2020

​The Highland Council Gaelic Team is working with Fèisean nan Gàidheal and An Comunn Gàidhealach to develop Mòd Academy Project primarily in schools in the Inverness area in run up to both the Provincial and National Mòds taking place in Inverness in June and October respectively.

The Mòd Academy focuses on Gaelic Medium schools and schools which have chosen Gaelic as their third language (L3). For the purposes of the 1+2 Language Learning Approach. Children and young people are exposed to an additional
language from primary 1 (Language 2 or L2). A further language is introduced from primary 5 (Language 3 or L3). The project will also be delivered in schools who wish to receive support in preparing young people for the Mòd.

The project is currently organising specific tutors to deliver Gaelic learning and usage tuition, Gaelic song tuition, Gaelic choral singing tuition, where appropriate bàrdachd (poetry), and folk group tuition. The tuition will be relevant to the Mòd syllabus, competitions and focus on participating in the Mòd.

An Comunn Gàidhealach will deliver a series of Youth Mòd Awareness events visits to schools in the area.

Deputy Provost Councillor Graham Ross said, “Projects which encourage Gaelic learning, usage and participation in the Gaelic culture will enrich young peoples’ learning experience.” I hope schools take the opportunity to take part in the
Mòd Academy project as it offers quality tuition in preparation for Gaelic’s premier festival. He continued, “The Council recognises the social, linguistic cultural and economic benefits of Gaelic in the Highlands.”

Janice Macrae Head Teacher Muirtown Primary School said, “We, at Muirtown Primary, are delighted to have been asked to host the launch of this year’s Mod Academy.” She continued “Gaelic language plays an extremely important part of our culture and heritage in the Highlands. It is great to be supported as a school to participate in both the local and national Mod, thus giving our children the opportunity to experience taking part in a thriving Gaelic festival and also promoting an interest and enjoyment of the language.”

Eilidh Mackenzie Barker “Fèisean nan Gàidheal welcomes the opportunity to work with young people in honing their Gaelic music skills. Our formal education arm, Fèisgoil, has been involved with Mod Academy for several years helping children and their teachers prepare songs & poetry in the different town hosting the national mod each year. We are particularly keen to be working in Highland GME schools and those where pupils are learning Gaelic as an additional language and would welcome the opportunity to expand this collaborative working partnership in encouraging staff and young people to embrace the opportunities afforded through Gaelic cultural learning”

The project is supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

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