voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Fife Festival of Music - AGM Report
Created: 28/08/2017The 37th AGM of Fife Festival of Music took place on 23 August 2017 when Members and Friends heard Chairman Graeme Wilson's positive and encouraging report on the year's activities.
Success was noted at the November 2016 Family Funday of MusicMaking held at Greyfriars RC Primary School, St Andrews, the occasion in the year when the Festival welcomes people of all ages who might never otherwise hear of or engage with the Festival. All the usual music and fun activities took place following the opening by Provost Leishman. The afternoon concluded with a memorable recital given by Travelling by Tuba from Manchester.
Entries for the January/February events, the Festival's main block of work in the year, were on a par with the previous year and there were, once again, two weeks filled with music performances in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and St Andrews. The Festival is truly one for the whole community and while many of the daytime slots are filled with school entries from Nursery through to Senior school pupils, community groups dominate the evening sessions. One of the more popular events keeps growing. The Community Choir class, a non-competitive event, continues to attract entrants and requires two evenings to allow all to take part.
The Festival event held in May focuses on younger instrumentalists giving them a chance to play together in a non-competitive environment. For a second year, traditional music was the theme with a daytime session at Auchmuty High School part of a generous partnership arrangement. Forty young string players had a great day out - and not a note of printed music in sight. Based on traditional and Scottish dance music, the players sang, fiddled and danced their way through the day led by Ian Adamson, Paul Wickham and Davy Lees. An additional skill was greatly enjoyed by all when Ian's son Cameron introduced the spoons and had the group learning to play.
Financial news is always important at an AGM and Treasurer Jean Galloway presented her accounts and findings to the delight of those present. Healthy figures indicating good trading were well received, the caveat being that the Festival like many other similar organisations has to look carefully at how it proceeds. FFoM is fortunate to have many Friends and Donors/Sponsors who support throughout the year. Other grants are always welcome but difficult to come by.
Elections as required took place and the Committee now sets sail on its next year of activity.
The next Family Funday of MusicMaking will take place on Sunday 19 November in Viewforth High School on the Windmill Community Campus, Kirkcaldy. Meanwhile , the Prospectus for the 2018 'A' period is published and available in schools, libraries and at venues.