Do you play the violin or viola and would you like to take part in the island’s first fiddle orchestra?

The call has gone out for violinists to join in with a projects to create a large group of fiddle players to form a massed group of players, with the aim of being ready to take part and perform in a large folk music and culture festival later this year.

Inspired by similar groups in other Celtic countries, the Isle of Man Fiddle Orchestra has been organised by Culture Vannin, with an eye on having an orchestra up and running in time for the Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering festival, should it take place this year.

The organisers are looking for either violin or viola players, and those who would be tempted to take part would need to be a reasonably proficient player and either be able to read music or be able to play by ear to a good extent.

Although no knowledge or experience of playing Manx music is required, the orchestra will be looking to perform a set of traditional Manx folk tunes.

It will be led by well-known local music teacher, musician and composer Katie Lawrence.

’We thought it would be fun to gather all of the island’s violinists together to perform a medley of favourite Manx tunes arranged and conducted by Katie,’ said organiser Dr Chloe Woolley, Manx music development officer with Culture Vannin.

’In Scotland, these massed fiddle groups are quite common and festival goers to Yn Chruinnaght in the 1990s may remember clapping along to big visiting groups such as the Strathspey Fiddlers and Fochabers Fiddlers.

’Katie and I both thought that it’s about time we tried something similar with Manx music, as we know there are lots of excellent players here in the Isle of Man.

’Katie is well-known in musical circles in the Isle of Man, and has plenty of experience of performing, teaching, composing and conducting large groups.’

The Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering festival is set to take place at the end of July, with the first performance of the fiddle orchestra aiming to be held on Friday, July 24.

l More details on how to take part are available by emailing Chloe at [email protected]