Glasgow Music Festival 2023
Added on 11 March 2023
On Saturday 11th March 2023, an eager and enthusiastic crowd of youngsters arrived with parents and school staff to showcase their skills. All teams were beautifully turned out either in school uniform or tartan skirts or sashes. It is quite an achievement that those teaching dance managed at all, due to the recent low attendance for some pupils due to industrial action. My thanks to all school staff, dance instructors and of course the pupils who have worked so hard.
The programme covered Charlestown Chaser, The Honeymoon, and Hedwig`s Reel. My thanks too, to all the Glasgow Branch stewards who helped by supporting the pupils, selling admission tickets, registering all entrants and by liaising between the Dance Hall and the Festival Office. The pupils were offered praise and constructive feedback, often accompanied by a short demonstration by the Adjudicator, Avril Smillie. If a wee mistake occurred, the team was given time to start again and Susan MacFadyen, patiently played the tune over again…Thanks. Each team received written feedback, ably recorded by the scribe, Maureen Daniels. Thanks for your care and attention to detail. The Marion B Hamilton Certificate was awarded to Comely Park Primary School, Falkirk , gaining the highest score of 88%, for the dance “The Honeymoon”.
After a VERY short break the adult teams from St Andrew`s University Celtic Society, Edinburgh University New Scotland Dance Society and Glasgow Dancers were invited to showcase their skills and precision. Avril was impressed by delicate footwork , the level of challenge required in some dance choices and she observed plenty of positive skills. The Glasgow Branch Quaich was awarded to the team with the highest score, which was Glasgow Dancers, scoring a fantastic 98% for the Square Dance, “McNicol of the Black Isle”. Both university teams scored a draw.
The afternoon finished with an impromptu gathering of “Mairi`s Wedding”.
Please consider supporting the 2024 Festival, either as an entrant or as part of the audience.
Susan Ewington (Outreach Convener)