Free Fischy Music resources for Orkney

The children’s charity, Fischy Music, is in Orkney this week as part of a project which will give every primary school in the county a year’s free access to online teaching videos, songs.

While in Orkney, the team from the charity will be training teachers in using Songs for Life — a streaming service set up, with the support of the Scottish Government, to provide musical resources supporting health and wellbeing.

The team will also be leading workshops with eight local primary schools — Burray, Hope, Stromness, Firth, Evie, Dounby, Glaitness and St Andrews.

Part of the project will include a songwriting project with children celebrating the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Magnus as well as a celebratory concert in Kirkwall Baptist Church, on Friday 15th September at 6pm – 7.15pm, with all members of the public welcome.

“We’re excited to be able to get alongside children from Orkney”, said Stephen Fischbacher, founder and Creative Director of Fischy Music, “We travel extensively from our base in Edinburgh, but it’s not often we have the chance to spend a whole week so far north.

“We know these songs can have a really positive impact on children’s emotional lives and it’s great to get the chance to help support teachers in making these resources more widely available. We’re really looking forward to a week packed with singing and hopefully meeting children where they are at in their lives.”

Joining Stephen will be accomplished musician and songwriter Margaret McLarty and newest member of the team Christy Ringrose, from Trondheim in Norway.

The visit is being supported by the Presbytery of Orkney who are covering the costs of travel and accommodation for the team, whilst Northlink have sponsored discounted ferry fares and local churches have also helped support local school events to bring the costs down further.

David McNeish, Minister of Birsay, Harray and Sandwick and organiser of the visit said: “We’re delighted to make this visit possible- having shadowed Fischy’s work in schools when I was in Edinburgh I know first hand how enjoyable and helpful their health and wellbeing workshops are. It’s also great to have a chance to learn some new songs for

“It’s also great to have a chance to learn some new songs for church as well and we hope the range of events is inspiring for a whole range of people. Fischy really do have something for everyone.”