New community strings project from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lecturers aims to break down barriers to music-making
A new music initiative led by two Royal Conservatoire of Scotland lecturers is opening up opportunities for string players of all ages and abilities to come together, learn and perform.
No Bows Barred, founded by international educator and violinist Fiona McLean-Buechel and award-winning fiddler Rua Macmillan – both RCS graduates and tutors at RCS’s Junior Conservatoire of Music – offers free weekend workshops across Scotland that break down barriers to music-making.
The project welcomes everyone from primary school pupils to seasoned performers, creating a collaborative space rooted in both classical and traditional music where confidence, creativity and community take centre stage.
Workshops attract up to 50 players from diverse backgrounds, including around 20 Pre-Junior and Junior Conservatoire students from RCS, as well as groups such as Bearsden and Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestras and the RCS Strings Project for The King’s Foundation at Dumfries House.
And the ensemble is gearing up for its first performance – a free concert at St Giles’ Cathedral on Saturday 16 August, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“We believe music should be for everyone – no-one should feel excluded from the arts,” said Fiona, who studied at RCS, when it was known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
“The aim of No Bows Barred is to empower musicians, at every stage, to explore their creativity and musicality in an inclusive environment. Workshops are open to musicians from across the country, with a focus on collaboration and confidence-building.”
Fiona is a violin tutor for RCS’s Junior Conservatoire of Music and the RCS Primary Instrumental Programme, and for the Junior Conservatoire’s strings project at Dumfries House, a partnership with The King’s Foundation and East Ayrshire Council.
She is a founding member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (NYOS) and a Director/Trustee of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
Rua, a traditional fiddler and member of Blazin’ Fiddles, has a wealth of experience in folk music and performance. He won BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2009 and teaches fiddle in the Junior Conservatoire of Music.
Rua said: “Whether they’re just starting out, haven’t played in years or are on the verge of a professional career, the workshops are a space for everyone.
“Rooted in both classical and traditional playing styles, the sessions allow everyone to contribute and develop at their own pace.
Fiona and Rua aim to make it as barrier-free as possible: “It’s structured but student-led and the students’ input is as great as ours,” said Fiona.
“There’s no formal seating plan; it doesn’t matter if you can’t read music or are terrified of improvising.
“We’re also absolutely thrilled to be supported and working alongside RCS students and former pupils of ours in these workshops – fiddlers Naomi Priestnall and Ellie McConnell, both second-year Traditional Music students – and graduate Joejoe McCann, a strings tutor in the Junior Conservatoire.
“Naomi, Ellie and Joejoe are finding their voices as educators, learning from each other and from the participants.”
Joejoe McCann (pictured in main image) said: “No Bows Barred has to be one of the most groundbreaking projects of its time! Fiona and Rua have teamed up to create a beautiful project where everyone is welcome, no matter their musical background, be it traditional folk/trad music or classical.
“I am honoured to be involved in this project and cannot wait to see where it goes!”
