From Western Shores and Beyond - Katie Lawrence in concert

From Western Shores and Beyond - Katie Lawrence in concert

Tue, 08 Oct 2024

A concert starring one of the Island’s leading lights of the Manx music scene has been filmed and released online by Culture Vannin.

Described as “a very special teacher” and “musical luminary”, fiddle player and pianist Katie Lawrence launched her eagerly anticipated tune book with a special performance earlier this year. The concert, presented by Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering at the Centenary Centre in Peel on 27th July 2024, was a sold-out event, and one of the best received events at this year’s extremely successful festival.

Well known in the Isle of Man as a performer, conductor, composer and teacher of nearly 20 years, Katie was joined on stage by two of her students, Frank Joughin on fiddle and Fraser McKenna on piano, sister Kirsty Lawrence on whistle and cello, Jamie Smith on accordion & Malcolm Stitt on guitar to perform a selection of tunes from her new book.

The Katie Lawrence Tune Collection – From Western Shores and Beyond brings together 40 modern Manx compositions penned by Katie over two decades. As well filming its launch concert, Culture Vannin are proud to have supported the publication of the book through one of their grants.

Dr Chloë Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer for Culture Vannin, has collaborated with Katie on various projects over the years, including the Manx Fiddle Orchestra and the production of musical arrangements for school groups and the Manx Folk Awards. Dr Woolley said;

“Katie’s tune collection has been long awaited. Even as a young fiddle player with Ramsey Grammar School folk group, Paitchyn Vannin, Katie was beginning to emerge as a talented and prolific tune writer, and she has since written hundreds of pieces in the Manx idiom, as well as arranging traditional songs and melodies for choir, piano and various ensembles. Some of her most well known tunes are part of the core repertoire, including “Dooraght” and “Fochabers” – both now known as Manx dances too – plus “A Tune for Grandad” which is learnt by many young violin students who use Culture Vannin’s resource book, Fiddyl.

“The tunes are presented chronologically in Katie’s new book and the line or two which accompanies each one reveal elements of Katie’s life story so far. It’s a really special collection and it will be enjoyed by future generations to come, as more and more of her tunes are absorbed into the living tradition.”

Viewers can enjoy the whole concert interspersed with Katie’s inimitable sense of humour, as well as watching individual sets, which include lively wedding jigs alongside Katie’s more contemplative pieces of music. It presents not just an excellent concert by leading Manx musicians, but a historic moment in the vibrant modern history of Manx culture.

Watch the films here:

Katie Lawrence Concert