Violin teacher vacancy is a threat to Shetland’s heritage, warns Aly Bain

Alan Gifford retired last Christmas after 15 years teaching violin in Lerwick, Sandwick and Cunningsburgh.

Bain says the decision by Shetland Islands Council not to replace Gifford jeopardises future generations of talent and will damage the area’s global fiddle music reputation.

The absence of a replacement has also sparked an online protest from parents in the islands who fear their children will be without a council-provided violin tutor for a long and unspecified period. More than 200 pupils – a third of the children on the islands receiving music tuition – are learning to play the fiddle.

Bain, who tours the globe with accordion supremo Phil Cunningham, said: “If you take away from the grass roots level then where does that leave future generations? I know there are cutbacks in Shetland, as with everywhere else, but what we are talking about here is not horrendously expensive.

“You are talking about the island’s musical heritage. Musicians from Shetland help promote the islands worldwide.”

Bain said he was essentially self-taught, as were only five or six others on the islands who were also performing, and fiddle music almost died out. But it was his mentor, local fiddler Tom Anderson, an education chief in the 1970s, who brought about a change in thinking and the appointment of school tutors.

Now, he says, there are talented musicians promoting Shetland and Scotland throughout the world, including Catriona MacDonald, Christopher Stout and the group Fiddlers’ Bid.

He said: “It would not surprise me if Shetland has more professional musicians on the road per head of population than anywhere else. That is all down to people like Alan Gifford, a very talented teacher.

“A huge number of tourists come to Scotland because of it’s music. I think a recent survey said this was second only to people looking at their ancestry. It is very important to the tourism industry and we want gifted children to have the best opportunity to continue the tradition of music here in Shetland.”

Bain, who returns to Shetland later this year as a Young Musician of the Year competition judge, said: “Youngsters need a platform to get started. It’s important the council does not go negative about this.”

The council’s failure to appoint a new violin teacher has prompted a huge online debate. Ann Shuard posted: “Shetland council what are you playing at? Shetland is known worldwide for the talented fiddle players. Tourists go to Shetland from around the world to hear the music. To stop the young from being able to continue their lesson in music is shooting yourselves in the foot.”

Another island resident wrote: “I was disappointed and amazed to read that SIC should even consider stopping violin lessons in school. Shetland is noted for it’s excellence in the violin as well as other musical instruments..”

One parent, Gideon Johnston, whose 11-year-old daughter lost her tuition, said: “My lassie has had no lessons since before Christmas. It’s [tuition] something that’s always been, always should be. The council are not trying hard enough. If it goes on any longer she’ll lose interest. It will be a year [of no tuition] by the time they decide anything.”

Davie Gardner, who runs his own music management agency, Atlantic Edge Music, echoed Bain’s views. He said: “Shetland Islands Council are going into uncharted waters and it is very concerning. We have no idea what effect all this will have.”

Jerry Edwards, the schools service quality improvement officer, said the post of violin tutor was initially advertised after Gifford’s retirement but only one person applied and was not appointed. No appointment would now be made so close to the local council elections next month and it would be up to the new council to decide on budget priorities.

He added: “It wouldn’t be right to start children now with a new tutor who might be made redundant.”