The initiative is run by PhD student and violist Arianna Ranieri who aims present her findings of the impact of music making on the local community
A group of local adults have been receiving free violin or viola lessons every Saturday in Millport, on the Scottish island of Great Cumbrae. The initiative is part of a programme established by Arianna Ranieri, a PhD student at Edinburgh Napier University who is conducting research into community music in rural Scotland.
The sessions are completely free of charge, and the learners have received instruments on loan from Ronan Watson and North Ayrshire Council.
The idea for the project came to Ranieri in the spring of 2023 while she was on tour with Women in Chamber Music in rural Scotland. She overheard several adult audience members comment ’I wish I’d had the chance to learn’ or ‘I wish there was a teacher here, I’d love to have lessons’.
’I thought it was a huge shame: because young people have accessible music in schools through their IMS (Instrumental Music Service), which also needs constant support to fund,’ said Ranieri.
’If more people in the communities were benefitting from music tuition, then we are widening the margin of beneficiaries and strengthening the argument for continued funding.’
Ranieri is a professional violist living in Glasgow and an upper strings lecturer and instructor. Her studies at Napier University focus on music pedagogy and community music. She will be presenting the findings of her project in Millport at the Edinburgh Napier University Doctoral Conference in December 2024.
She says that the response to the Millport project has been ’overwhelmingly positive, and at times, emotional (in a good way!)
’I have learnt so much from the experience and discovered more than I ever could have imagined from the journey and the participants.’
Ranieri has noticed the enthusiasm from the participants, who have shown unwavering dedication and drive. ’They are turning up every week with a hunger to learn– and have even begun have jam and practice sessions outside of the Saturday classes– it is a teacher and researcher’s dream, and shows how important it is to have these opportunities for adults in rural areas.
’Many have commented that they have felt more connected to others in the community, made new friends, found purpose, and even confidence from learning a new skill. Some mentioned they have never been offered an opportunity like this before, and how it has been even life changing, and therapeutic.’
She also noted how significantly the learners’ playing had developed over the last several weeks. ’Most of these participants are beginners, and they are playing music with multiple parts, harmonies, and have learned all the notes in first position across the strings, is unbelievably impressive. I am stunned, truly, every week, with how well they are all doing.’
Ranieri hopes for the project to be sustainable into the future, as she seeks funding for monthly workshops to teach and support the musicians until the end of 2025, with the further aim to secure research funding for 2026 onwards.
A concert will be taking place in collaboration with Largs Academy at the Cathedral of the Isles on Saturday 14 December from 12.30pm-1.30pm. Entry is free.
Read: Scotland’s oldest surviving cello to be heard in public for the first time since the 18th century
Read: Creating an immersive musical experience as an adult learner: violinist Julia Reddy
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