Rona returns from performing in China
A local Highland Instrumental Instructor has just returned from touring China with The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. Inverness-based Strings Tutor, Rona Porter was delighted to tour with the SFO as they played a series of 10 New Year concerts all over China. The Orchestra of 64 players entertained around 8000 people in 8 cities in areas around Shanghai, and further south in Ningbo (twice), Hangzhou, Suzhou, Taicang and Liuzhou, Nanning, Fuzhou and Nanchang.
Now back in Inverness, Mrs Porter who teaches at Inshes PS, Milton of Leys PS, Millburn Academy, Strathdearn PS, Kilchuimen Academy and Primary, Invergarry PS, Glen Urquhart High School, Cannich Bridge, Balnain and Glen Uruqhart Primaries and who tutors with the Highland Regional Music Groups said: “What an amazing opportunity to take Scotland's traditional music abroad. I've been a member of The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra for 9 years and was lucky enough to tour Canada with them in 2005. This tour to China has been an amazing experience and has exceeded every expectation possible.
“Over 16 days, we played 10 concerts (starting in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh), had 8 flights, 2 fabulous Ceilidhs and one on the plane on the flight home from Beijing, 1 cross-country bullet-train journey, 36 hours in coaches. We travelled more than 16000 miles, and stayed in 10 hotels in 10 different cities. We saw some incredible sights too, including the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, visited a silk factory, and experienced some enormous awe-inspiring Buddhist temples. We sampled Emperor Green Tea in a tea plantation and walked around a dragon pool on a very cold and misty morning. We ate some fantastic food, although we didn't always know what we were eating until after we had sampled it!
“It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I have over 700 photos. Our audiences at our Chinese concerts were great. We taught them how to do a Gay Gordons and a Military Two-Step and had them dancing in the aisles. We even made it onto Chinese TV! We took three Chinese pieces with us which went down really well; as did the pieces we did with our pipers. Every concert was a sell-out and we were mobbed after each concert with people wanting their photos taken with us and wanting our autographs.
"As an instrumental tutor I hope that my pupils will see what amazing places can be seen by playing an instrument and I hope that my trip will inspire them to think beyond the hours of practice.”
The SFO has previously toured in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is its first visit to China. The SFO is very grateful to Creative Scotland for a grant of £10,000 towards the costs of this venture. Some advertising revenue has also been gratefully received from Edradour Whisky and Visit Scotland. It is hoped that the concerts, which attracted over 10,000 people, will generate interest in traditional Scottish fiddle music.
The SFO’s first concert after returning from the tour will be in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 9th February 2013.