Gibson welcomes launch of song website

News release Immediate release 02/12/10



Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion celebrating the launching of a website that will give children a chance to learn Gaelic and Scots song.


Scotland’s Songs learning resources on the Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) website, allows people to access a collection of 130 Gaelic and Scots songs and tunes as diverse as bothy ballads to psalm singing.


The site includes full lyrics and musical notation, it is also freely available to all Scottish classrooms which allows teachers to easily incorporate into their teaching practice.


Mr Gibson said....


"I am always heartened to see Scottish music become more accessible. I well remember the time when it was marginalized and looked down upon so this website is a further example of the total overhaul that has happened in the approach to the subject."


"I warmly welcome the chance for people of all ages to discover or rediscover some classic Scottish songs from the past and present. Music is part of the living tradition and this website as this website illustrates.


"It will allow children in schools around the country to connect with their heritage as well as spark an interest in our unique traditional music. I hope that the website will be well used throughout Scotland and beyond."


ENDS

Notes


Link to LTS website


http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scotlandssongs/


Copy of motion


S3M-07527 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament


welcomes the creation and launch of the Scotland’s Songs learning resources on the Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) website, which makes a large collection of 130 Scots and Gaelic songs and tunes from across the nation, including full lyrics and musical notation, freely available to all Scottish classrooms; further notes that Scotland’s Songs allow for teachers to easily incorporate Scottish musical education into their teaching practice, which further supports the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence, and encourages and supports all of the schools in Scotland to include Scotland’s Songs as a key part of all students’ educational experience at all levels.