They would do it again in a minute. The Coast String Fiddlers (CSF), 16 youth, three adult accompanists and several parents, have returned from a hectic 17 days in Scotland during which they gave two performances per day and delighted audiences from around the world. They took part in an international youth festival in Aberdeen, performed in the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh during that city's Fringe Festival and played in the outdoors for a variety of events and at the Lemon Tree Club in the evenings.
"It was basically play, eat and sleep," said CSF's Anna Williams, "or not sleep."
Stephen Beckmyer agreed it was exhausting, especially the last night when they were up until 4:30 a.m. having a kitchen party with the Belgian performers, but he greatly enjoyed the experience.
A group of five fiddlers, Williams, Beckmyer, Sophie Heppell, Claire McGillivray and James Law, along with artistic director Heather Beckmyer, gathered soon after their return at the home of co-artistic director Ann Law to tell the highlights of the trip of a lifetime. Though they had all worked very hard all year giving numerous performances on the Coast to raise funds for the trip, they agreed that they would do it all again. Some had never been to Scotland before and found it really fun, but cold and windy. Others, such as Sophie Heppell, had left Scotland at the age of nine and had a chance to visit with friends on this trip. Heppell found herself in demand to sing an old Scottish pipe band song Highland Cathedral. The words were unfamiliar, though the tune was well known. Following their visit, several churches and choirs added the song to their repertoire.
They were fed well. Stephen Beckmyer enjoyed the traditional Scot's nosh of haggis, neeps and tatties, and he and some of the others were of age in Scotland to check out the local university pub over a pint of ale. A typical whirlwind day might be a rehearsal and a visit to the Lemon Tree Club for a lengthy sound check, then late dinner, then a concert at 9:30 p.m.
"As the concert began, some young choir singers from Glasgow jumped up and started dancing. The energy just picked up, whoomp!" said Heather Beckmyer, who found the entire creative experience energizing.
The Coast String Fiddler journey began in Aberdeen when they took part in a parade of performers. James Law, who fiddled while riding the unicycle, was an instant hit with local newspaper photographers.
In their distinctive red and white jackets donated by Gibsons Marina's Art McGinnis, the group made a striking display. They also wore red and white B.C. tartan ties that they gave away as gifts to the many admirers, including the Lord Provost (chief magistrate) of Aberdeen whom they met at a reception.
The highlight of the trip was meeting the other kids, particularly those students of the Scottish Splore program, a traditional music teaching school, where they took part in workshops and learned new tunes. Friendships flourished, with the Belgians particularly. But the feature highlight of the festival had to be the collaboration with the Ballet Prague Junior, young Czech dancers. The director of the young people's ballet approached them with a choreographed piece that required a certain type of music. With limited rehearsal time, the NYWP, a select group of the Coast String Fiddlers, put together several tunes to play on stage while the dancers were performing. They chose one of Iain Fraser's compositions, a teacher at the Coast's Celtic Music Camp who happened to be in the audience and was surprised and moved by the selection. Another choice was by Canadian composer Oliver Schroer. The result was stunning.
What's next? A rest before school starts, then rehearsing for the new season. "It's nice to be busy," says Heppell.
