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 The Ayrshire
Fiddle Orchestra was founded in August 1982 by Wallace
and Lex Galbraith, who are both string instrument tutors in Ayrshire
in South West Scotland, with the aim of encouraging and developing
Scots Fiddle Music among local young musicians many of whom were,
or had been their pupils.
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The
Orchestras has steadily matured since those early beginnings
and now has 130 violinists, cellists, bass players and percussionists
from 10 to 18 years old. The eminent Scots fiddler, and former
member of the orchestra, Alistair McCulloch
is now Musical Director of the AFO. Another former member Blair Parham joins him as part of the musical team.
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Apart from two major concerts in Ayr at Christmas and midsummer, the Orchestra perform regularly throughout South Ayrshire and the West of Scotland, giving Charity concerts and providing musical entertainment at a wide range of corporate and civic events.
South
Ayrshire Council have generously supported the Orchestra and in return, small groups provide a series
of Ceilidhs in a number of rural communities in the area -
eg. Barr, Barrhill, Ballantrae and Straiton. |
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International
Tours have become a regular feature of the Orchestra's activities
with the dual benefit of taking their particular brand of
Fiddle playing to a wider audience and introducing the players
to different cultures and customs. France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand,
Canada and America - including the White House! - have resounded
to their rhythmic playing over the past 10 Tours.
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