New Orleans Strathspey and Reel Society
New Orleans, LA
Strath’Spey: n [Strath Spey, district of Scotland] : a Scottish dance that is similar to but slower than the reel; also: the music for this dance.
About Us: The New Orleans Strathspey and Reel Society is a non-profit (501-C3) organization whose aim is to educate the public about the wonderful traditional music of Scotland and the surrounding regions and to present and perform this music. We are the Gulf South’s only Scottish Fiddle orchestra.
The primary melody instrument of our group is the Fiddle. (“Violin” in some circles) Fiddles came to Scotland in the 1500s from the Continent and found favor with both the highborn and the ordinary folk of the countryside. Scotland’s rich musical tradition was adapted for this new instrument and it was not long before composers began writing vibrant and lively tunes for the fiddle. Interestingly enough, for a long period of time in Scotland during the 1700s and 1800s there was little distinction in the public eye (ear?) between what we would call high or “classical” music and low or light music. Most musicians of the time would play classical music as well as folk tunes for dances and weddings. As a result of this, some of the of the “folk” music written during this period is unusually beautiful and technically challenging.
For more information, call: 504-915-3325