Wed July 11, 2007
7:30 PM
Poster

The AFO is a collection of dedicated young people who come together to keep alive the traditional music of Scotland.

Their music has entertained all over the world having performed in numerous locations, from rural community centres on the Isle of Skye to the Sydney Opera House, and from retirement homes in Oslo to the lawn of the White House

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.

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.

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.
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.

Following the success of the tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2003, the orchestra are heading west this summer to perform in the U.S.A once again.