The Music.

In the closing months of 2014, besides continuing the research, some musical ideas were explored. Of the 45 minutes assumed to be the approximate length of the performance, most of the music will be original. In that 45 minutes, there will be significant dialogue, to video or images, telling the various aspects of the story. It is estimated that about 25 minutes will have the music “up front”, with other sections containing background music to complement dialogue or visual presentation.

The local Yell primary schools (Burravoe and Cullivoe) were approached and they have provisionally agreed, with the music teacher Alison Martin taking the lead, to work on two songs. One, “The Childrens Song”, has been written in embryonic form and shared with them. Another needs to be produced. Ideas for music written at this stage include a piece entitled “Widows' Waltz”. This has been worked on remotely with two Shetland musicians (Margaret Scollay and Peter Wood). Working at a distance, utilising the exchange of midi files, live recorded WAV files, and notation, has proved tricky, and the version available through the link is the midi version. But it gives the flavour. “Resilience” attempts to portray the re-building of the community, and hope for the future. It would probably be suited to the latter part of the presentation. Another tune has, as yet, no particular purpose, but could perhaps be used as a scene setter.

This, and the previous two posts, give a snapshot of where the project has reached prior to my trip to Shetland for the month of February. The visit has a number of aims:

1. Research in the Shetland Archives.
2. Contacting local people who might have memories, documentation or just opinions.
3. Visiting the heads and the music teacher of the two primary schools to discuss moving forward.
4. Contacting any local musicians who might wish to participate.
5. Researching potential venues, and dates.

The subsequent posts will document the visit.