The Lounge Bar in Lerwick is once again set to ring to the sound of Shetland music, when it hosts a traditional music session for young musicians, aged 12 – 18 years, one of an ongoing series of such events promoted by Shetland Arts Trust in partnership with the venue as part of their Music Development Project.

The event, which is totally alcohol free, will take place in the Lounge on Tuesday the 1st February from 7pm – 10pm. Everyone of all ages, musicians and audience alike, will be welcome and entry is free. Equally musicians working at all levels of experience and ability, and who play any instrument at all, are welcome to take part, especially beginners to session playing.

 Experienced traditional musicians will be on hand to assist anyone who may be inexperienced or unsure of what playing in a session is all about. The evening is structured to take account of this fact with beginner’s sessions from 7 – 8.30pm, and more experienced young musicians joining in from 8.30 until 10pm.

Shetland Arts Trust Music Development Officer Davie Gardner said “These sessions are proving very popular, and indeed highly beneficial, and all the young musicians seem to thoroughly enjoy them. It’s proving to be a bit of a social novelty for them, especially given that they take place in the upper Lounge, a place so synonymous with traditional music making in Shetland. Equally the fact that we have a number of highly regarded local traditional musicians such as Violet Tulloch and Alex Hutchison on hand to provide informal guidance has proved to be highly beneficial and perhaps even inspirational to those taking part. Everybody is welcome whatever their ability or instrument they play, there are no barriers to participation and it gives young musicians, perhaps fairly new to the scene, a chance to play along with some of our better known traditional musicians”.

Audiences of all ages are equally welcome to come along and witness the next generation of young musicians and ‘sessioneer’s’ getting together in a very informal setting, although it is once again stressed that the whole event is alcohol free.

A similar event is planned for Tuesday the 1st March in the same venue.

For further information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 697550.