A powerful and emotional musical tribute with dancers spanning the length of Britain has been unveiled in memory of Manchester Arena victim, Eilidh MacLeod to support the work of the music education charity set up in her memory.
The 14-year-old piper from the Hebridean island of Barra, was among 22 people killed in the terrorist attack on May 22, 2017.
Composed by Dorset-based musician Glenn Ross, ‘A Dance for Eilidh’ was inspired by Eilidh’s story, her creativity and love of music as well as the vision of hope that the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust strives to achieve in her name.
Complementing the instrumental music, which has a distinct Scottish flavour, are dancers of all ages from Barra and Dorset on England’s south coast – almost 500 miles apart. The dancers stepped forward to contribute their skills for the tribute after an appeal by Mr Ross for volunteers to perform and provide their own expressive interpretation of the composition.
‘A Dance for Eilidh’ has now been compiled into a video featuring the dancers and released to help raise awareness of the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust and raise funds to support their work with young musicians.
The composition is in three parts. The first captures the freedom of island life reflecting Eilidh’s upbringing on Barra before moving to build excitement and trepidation of new adventures and experiences that come with youth. The final section reflects loss and deep sorrow but ends on a note of hope and positivity to encapsulate the mission of Eilidh’s Trust. The dancers mirror the musical story and create a powerful visual expression of it.
‘A Dance for Eilidh’ will now support Eilidh’s Trust which was established in 2018 in. The Trust supports music education for young people reflecting Eilidh’s own love of music and her musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with the local Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The trust will also manage and maintain a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.
Composer Glenn Ross said: “Despite not knowing her, Eilidh’s story resonated so much with me, in particular her love of music and I was eager to do something to pay tribute and support the work of Eilidh’s Trust. ’A Dance for Eilidh’ has been two years in the making but it has been a project I have loved and feel I have produced a piece of art that reflects Eilidh’s life and captures the hope the charity aims to create with other young musicians in her memory.
“The music has more than a hint of Scotland in it, in particular a Hebridean life of golden beaches, flower covered fields, heather clad hills and gentle summer breezes, all of which surrounded Eilidh as she grew up on the Isle of Barra. I hope the listeners will be able to close their eyes and visualise themselves walking in the serene surroundings of the Hebrides. I am particularly grateful to all the dancers who volunteered their time to take part in this project and I am delighted with what they have done for us.”
Suzanne White, founder of Eilidh’s Trust added: “We are very grateful to Glenn and all the dancers for this creative piece of music and dance. It is a truly beautiful piece of art that we feel encapsulates what Eilidh’s Trust is all about. ‘A Dance for Eilidh’ will help us continue our valuable work with young musicians in Eilidh’s memory.”
Mairi MacLean from the Isle of Barra, whose dance school took part in the video, commented on why they got involved: “We were delighted to be part of ‘A Dance for Eilidh’ and contribute to Glenn’s vision of creating a tribute but also adding to the hope and positivity of Eilidh’s Trust. This was very personal to us all at the dance school and we wanted to be involved. Knowing the story of the music made it easy for us to create an interpretation in dance that helps to bring it to life.”
John Dew [pictured] has joined the pipe band teaching staff at George Watson’s College, a private school in Edinburgh.
John replaces Jonathon Simpson who has moved to another Edinburgh private school, The Edinburgh Academy.
John, who plays with Inveraray & District Pipe Band, graduated recently from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He takes up his new role in August.
George Watson’s College has a long tradition of maintaining his standards in piping and drumming. Competitively, its juvenile and novice juvenile bands have been successful for many years.
A large entry of 249 pipers and drummers competed in the ‘Canada Day’ online competition organised by the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario last weekend.
The competition normally takes place at the annual Embro Highland Games.
Professional
Ceòl Mòr – 1. Sean McKeown; 2. Ian K. MacDonald; 3. Gordon McCready
Judge: Ronnie McShannon.
MSR – 1. Sean McKeown; 2. Ian K. MacDonald; 3. Matt MacIsaac.
Judge: Ian Duncan
Hornpipe & Jig – 1. Matt MacIsaac; 2. Ian K. MacDonald; 3. Sean McKeown.
Judge: Michael Grey.
Senior Amateur Ceòl Mòr – 1. Charles David Mitchell; 2. Henry Michael Paluch; 3. Laura Ann Mullin
Judge: John Cairns.
Grade 1
MSR A – 1. Henry Michael Paluch; 2. Charles David Mitchell; 3. Mark McClennan;
Judge: John Elliott.
MSR B – 1. Joseph Biggs; 2. Graham MacMaster; 3. Alexander Rocheleau.
Judge: Douglas MacRae
Freestyle – 1. Henry Michael Paluch; 2. Laura Ann Mullin; 3. Charles David Mitchell.
Judge: Ken Eller.
Intermediate Amateur Ceòl Mòr – 1. Jean-Sebastien Gamache; 2. Graham McMaster; 3. Joseph Fischer.
Judge: Doug MacRae.
Grade 2
March – 1. Sean Burgess; 2. Eddie Boland; 3. Jean-Sebastien Gamache.
Judge: Glenna Mackay-Johnstone.
Strathspey & Reel – 1. Sean Burgess; 2. Jean-Sebastien Gamache; 3. Matt Greco.
Judge: Chris Dodson.
Jig – 1. Kris Bawden; 2. Sean Burgess; 3. Matt Greco.
Judge: Ken Eller.
Junior Amateur Ceòl Mòr – 1. Eddie Boland; 2. Ray Cai; 3. Kathleen Lasseter.
Judge: Glenna Mackay-Johnstone.
Grade 3
March – 1. Zachary Dwyer; 2. Aiden Fox-Ivey; 3. Ray Cai.
Judge: Chris Dodson.
Strathspey & Reel – 1. Zachary Dwyer; 2. Paul Brining; 3. Ray Cai.
Judge: Trish Kirkwood.
Novice Ceòl Mòr – 1. Dominic Kilpatrick; 2. Aiden Fox-Ivey; 3. Kaiden Peter Sabbadin.
Judge: Michael Grey.
Grade 4
March – 1. Alec MacDonald; 2. Dominic Kilpatrick; 3. Oscar Liu.
Judge: Trish Kirkwood.
Grade 5
March – 1. Gordon R. W. Tait; 2. Lou Lanaro; 3. Mia MacInnes.
Judge: Brian Williamson.
Practice Chanter – 1. Zoe Smith; 2. Christine Proulx;
Judge: John Elliott.
