Burnsong is a national project dedicated to promoting, encouraging and nurturing songwriting in Scotland. Burnsong events include songwriting workshops for schools, professional development courses for writers, live music events across Scotland and a national songwriting competition.

We are delighted to welcome these songwriters to The Sunart Centre for Workshops and a Concert in January 2007, with support from the Scottish Arts Council TuneUp programme.

In November last year, eight of the UK’s best songwriters spent 5 days in a house near Castle Douglas which they dedicated to write songs. This tour is an opportunity for the public to hear the songs that they wrote together as well as some of their own best known work. This will be a really unique and entertaining night of great songs, banter and an insight into the mysterious world of songwriting! “…great songs, great voices and great performances from eight true artists – an entertaining night not to be missed” - Gill Maxwell, Scottish Music Centre

The songwriters for this tour are:

Emily Smith: Singer Songwriter and winner of BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year Award in 2002

Sophie Bancroft: Renowned Jazz Singer and Songwriter and experienced educator. She also teaches singing and guitar and has led both jazz singing and songwriting workshops and masterclasses.

Riley Briggs: Front man and songwriter for Edinburgh band Aberfeldy.

Boo Hewerdine: Successful solo artist Boo has also penned innumerable songs with and for other performers, most notably Eddi Reader for whom he is Musical Director. He is a true master of his craft has led a range of songwriting workshops for all ages.

Niki King: a gifted jazz vocalist and songwriter. As well as recording her own interpretations of jazz classics she writes her own material. She is also a Jazz singing tutor and has held songwriting workshops after attending the Burnsong Songwriting Tutor training courses in 2005.

Geoff Martyn: Geoff Martyn is a singer songwriter who both writes on his own and collaboratively. He has been in a number of rock/pop bands and is also a producer and engineer. He recently delivered a songwriting masterclass at the Scottish Music Centre along with Niki King and Sophie Bancroft

Marc Pilley: Driving force of Edinburgh based Mercury Award nominated band Hobotalk Marc has led both guitar and songwriting workshops and can talk passionately on the subject of songwriting and creating music.

David Scott: Songwriter for acclaimed Glasgow band The Pearlfishers.

Performance on 27 January 2007 at 8:00pm, tickets £8 (OAPs & under 18s £6, under 13s £4) available online and at the usual outlets.

BURNSONG SONG HOUSE SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS

As part of the Burnsong Song House Tour, Burnsong are offering Songwriting Workshops. Thanks to the range and depth of expertise held by our writers, the workshops can be for any age (over 12) and for any level of experience. The session can be in the form of a hands-on workshop or a masterclass which will be more discussion based.

The workshops will be led by one or more of the songwriters (depending on numbers and the style of workshop requested). Cost for the workshops is £5 adults, £3 teenagers. Booking essential – book now by calling 01397 709228 or email enquiries@sunartcentre.org , and please indicate your level of experience (if any) and the music style of interest.

Buy tickets for some of these events online at www.thebooth.co.uk  – a new online ticketing service for venues throughout the Highlands & Islands

When applying for tickets by post please make cheques payable to The Highland Council and include an SAE.

Please note that tickets cannot be reserved until payment has been received.