Aberdeen Folk Orchestra is delighted that Ron Gibson has agreed to workshop “The Woods”, a beautiful suite of music composed by Hamish Napier. There will be sheet music for all traditional instruments including woodwind and brass, and any musicians at intermediate and more advanced levels are welcome.The weekend will culminate in a free concert showcasing the music; family and friends welcome.

Ages 11+ METTLE is a true story. It is a celebration of a man and his wartime service on one of the most infamous Atlantic convoys of World War Two. It is also an observation of a past generation who, although quietly wrestling with their demons, remained silent about their service for many years. From his childhood in Sheffield in the 1960s, through to the present day, award-winning solo performer Nicholas Collett takes us on an epic journey, retracing his fathers steps, from Liverpool to the USA and back, via Sierra Leone and Nova Scotia, reliving the utter terror of U-boat attacks, the storm-tossed ocean, along with the lighter moments of serving aboard a wartime destroyer including a close encounter with Glenn Miller in a captivating and physical solo performance. A tale of love and loss, both moving and funny, above all life-affirming and a paean to those we miss most. Written and performed by Nicholas Collett Directed by Gavin Robertson With support from the Daparian Foundation and the V&W Destroyers Association.

Ages 12+ Christine Bovills PIAF No glamour. No gimmicks. No pretence. Nothing but a voice, singing of lifes triumphs and tragedies. Who was Edith Piaf? And how did she come to represent the spirit of Paris like no-one before or since? Christine Bovill hated French at school; a fact she was happy to share with anyone who would listen. That is, until the chance discovery of an Edith Piaf record. This would prove a seminal moment in the life of the 14 year old girl from Glasgow- and set Christine on a fateful path through time into the world of Frances greatest musical icon. PIAF, as much a play as it is a musical homage, is a funny, poignant and moving theatrical homage to one of Frances most endearing icons; celebrating some of her best known songs, threaded with Piafs story, and Christines own remarkable journey in the world of chanson. An award-winning songwriter in her own right, and recipient of Spirit of the Fringe, Bovill has toured throughout Europe and the Far East with her self-penned homage to the Little Sparrow, appearing on BBC Newsnight and on BBC Radio 4s series, Soul Music. During her Edinburgh Fringe sell-out run at the Famous Speigeltent, Bovill realised a lifelong dream when she shared the stage with Charles Dumont, great friend of Piaf and, most famously, composer of Non, Je ne Regrette Rien. They performed several songs together to close the show. PIAF was awarded the Fringe laurels for Total Sell Out Show 2011 and 2012. It received 5 STAR reviews from some of the most respected publications (including The Scotsman). Despite the sorrow of Piafs story, this is an evening of celebration a tale of human triumph over tragedy; and, at its heart, a unique performance by a woman widely regarded as one of the finest interpreters of French Song.

Born and raised on a second-generation dairy farm in rural Ontario, Allison Lupton has always been immersed in Canadian folk life, but it took a love and intense study of Irish and Celtic music for her to find her way to the Canadian folk music tradition that she has grown up around. Her newest album, Words of Love showcases her original material, songs which fit so perfectly into the cannon of Canadian folk music that they could easily be mistaken for traditional numbers. Along with her band mates Andrew Collins, Shane Cook, Tony McManus and Joseph Phillips, Allison brings to life the best of the contemporary folk music scene in Ontario, while incorporating the Celtic influences that have been such an important part of the Canadian immigrant story as well as her own musical path. After working with various bands and groups including Killiecrankie, which was regularly heard on CBC Radios legendary Max Ferguson Show, Allison began releasing music under her own name in 2001 with her debut album My True Love. The album launched her solo career, performing across Canada, the United States, and the UK. She has since recorded 3 solo albums and been featured on CBC Radios Vinyl Caf and BBC Radio nan Gidheal. Allison is a frequent collaborator with other artists, releasing singles with The Younguns (The Eve of Christmas Day), Craig Werth (When Trouble Comes) and the album So Lucky with Tannis Slimmon and Rosemary Phelan. She has also been featured as a soloist with The International, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge Symphony Orchestras. Allison is a multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee for Traditional Singer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year as well as Folk Music Ontarios Songs From the Heart grand prize winner for One More Day. With her new album, Words of Love, Lupton can count herself securely among Canadian folk musics finest contributors.