THE SFO ANNOUNCES CHARITY SUPPORT AND GUEST ARTISTS FOR CONCERT AT SAGE GATESHEAD

Scotland’s top Fiddle Orchestra is set to play Sage Gateshead on Saturday 1^st March 2014. The Orchestra nominates a charity to receive a retiring collection at each of its concerts. The selected charity for the Gateshead event is the Great North Air Ambulance Service. The Orchestra announces the line-up of guest artists for this action-packed event: Jamie MacDougall – Tenor Jamie is one of Scotland’s top tenors. His last appearance with the SFO was in a stunning concert at Sydney Opera House. Hailing from Glasgow, he trained in London and performed with numerous opera companies and major classical orchestras. He now presents the very popular BBC Scotland music programme “Grace Notes”. He has extended his interests to Scottish music, and recently recorded a vast collection of the Scottish songs of Haydn. As a member of the 3 Scottish Tenors “Caledon” has wowed crowds in major venues around the world, including the major concert halls of Australia and New Zealand, with the SFO. The SFO is delighted to welcome Jamie to Gateshead. Debra Stuart – Soprano Debra, who comes from Dundee, began her career in opera and musical theatre.  She sings in a wide range of styles and is in demand as a vocal coach, and was a coach for the BBC /Lloyd Webber’s “Search for Nancy I’d do anything”. She has recently released a solo CD “Where the Heart is”. She has sung internationally with the “Celtic Tenors”. Debra sings regularly with the SFO in major venues across the UK, and we are looking forward to performing with her again. Jim McColl MBE, Compere is popular with audiences for his witty ditties, and is also well known as the presenter of BBC Scotland’s gardening programme “The Beechgrove Garden”. Jim is a fan of Scottish music, and particularly of the SFO. He has occasionally been persuaded to bring his accordion with him from Aberdeen! Morpeth Pipe Band The SFO is delighted to be joined by the Morpeth Pipe Band, who will feature in a stirring selection linked with the Bannockburn anniversary, and also in an emotional farewell piece “Orkney Sunset Song” for pipes and Orchestra based on a traditional melody and the hymn tune St. Clement”. Dancers Young dancers Catriona and Marnie Clark from the Myra Shuttleworth School of Dance in Castle Douglas will entertain. Both are accomplished prizewinners in their age groups, and Catriona has also competed successfully in Clarsach playing at the Scottish Mod. Newcastle RSCDS A demonstration team of Scottish country dancers from Newcastle Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will dance in the Foyer from 6.30pm. The SFO has appeared previously at Sage Gateshead in 2005, 2006 and 2011, always to packed houses. The orchestra, which is a registered Scottish charity, plays mainly in Scotland, but also in the major concert halls of the UK, and it tours overseas from time to time. The SFO had a very successful tour of China earlier in the year, and even played on the plane on the return journey! It looks forward to returning to Gateshead on Saturday 1^st March at 17.30 pm in Hall1. Photos of our happy and kilt-clad orchestra are available on request.