10:00 – 11:00
Saturday 22/06/24
Sunlight Stage
Join Scottish violinist, fiddle player, collaborator and composer Donald Grant with his band and students from the Royal Northern College of Music, for an uplifting and reflective Sunday morning performance. Settle down on the sand to enjoy a mix of his Donald’s compositions, which blend elements of traditional music with contemporary sounds and some traditional Gaelic – expect mass strings and bagpipes to wake us all up at our annual First Light Sunday morning celebration.
At an early age he was immersed in the folk tradition of the Highlands of Scotland, learning Gaelic songs from his father who was a singer and teacher. He has since followed a path that defies one musical genre, travelling the globe collaborating with many artists and organisations. He founded the Elias String Quartet in 1998. As one of Europe’s leading Chamber ensembles they have toured extensively, regularly playing in concert halls including Carnegie Hall (New York), Recital Centre (Melbourne), Wigmore Hall (London), Southbank Centre (London), Musikverein (Vienna), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) Konserthaus (Berlin) and Suntory Hall (Tokyo). He has collaborated/recorded with artists including Kate Rusby, Mischa MacPherson, Leif Vollebekk, The Secret North, Su-a Lee, Mike Vass, Catriona McKay and Thea Gilmore.
Donald has played as a principal player with the Scottish Ensemble, Manchester Collective, Grit Orchestra, Red Note Ensemble and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. He is Head of Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.