Information on the Wighton Collection History

Our Honorary Librarian, Karen McAuley, gave an excellent talk at the ‘Towards a Scottish Traditional Music Archive’ conference in Edinburgh on 11th June, and links to the text are below:

Part 1: The Wighton Collection in Dundee

https://claimedfromstationershall.wordpress.com/2022/06/12/from-glasgow-to-edinburgh-re-dundee-the-wighton-collection-my-talk-part-1/?fbclid=IwAR0-lGe2fjwrDy1uEdfyfwAVF5AvWD-nh2MhzpKU0iJb4UNr4SgxqGCkFMc

Part 2: Accessing the printed repertoire across Scotland

https://claimedfromstationershall.wordpress.com/2022/06/12/from-glasgow-to-edinburgh-re-dundee-the-wighton-collection-my-talk-part-2/?fbclid=IwAR1kiwHVWm8xNsYeG_2YfrGtXd3APpSQ29onY36pk2KdPltPceNsYvUvAUM

 

Conservation of Jimmy Shand books

The first book has just been returned from the conservator. Emma Fraser ACR from The Book & Paper Studio in Dundee returned the volume to the Friends yesterday.

This volume has Niel Gow’s “A Collection of Strathspey Reels” and “A Third Collection of Strathspey Reels”, Bland’s Collection of Sonatas, Walten’s Celebrated Circus Tunes with subscriber’s index, N, Stewart’s Circus Tunes , vols 1 – 6 and various tunes and songs. We are looking forward to cataloguing it completely!

Only 22 more to go!

Illustrated talk on the Sir Jimmy Shand Collection

There will be a unique aspect to the Cappuccino Concert in the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Dundee on Saturday 19th September.

The distinguished Scottish music expert Dr KAREN McAULAY, Music and Academic Services Librarian at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD), will give an musically illustrated talk on the Centre’s recently acquired Sir Jimmy Shand Collection of 18th and 19th century music books.

Karen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, and is in demand to talk not only about Scottish music history but also about library and research skills.  She’s also a practising musician, as a church organist and music arranger.  With the help of the Wighton’s harpsichord, she will explore the musical treasures contained in these volumes and some of the rarer and most interesting volumes will be on display.

Karen’s visit comes at a key moment.   The Friends of Wighton members are raising funds to have the Shand Collection conserved so that it can be on permanent display and available for use by musicians, singers, scholars and community group.  A crowdfunder for The Sir Jimmy Shand Connection has topped £1100 with some weeks still to run.  Contributions from the great man’s admirers have come from across the UK as well as Europe and the USA!

“We’re delighted with the success of the crowdfunder so far,” said Sheena Wellington, Friends of Wighton Honorary Librarian, “but we still have a target to reach and there are still lots of special thank you gifts waiting!”    ‘Perks’ for those donating online include limited edition CDs, signed prints, etchings, specially composed tunes, house concerts and the opportunity to be entered into a founder’s book to be kept in the Wighton Centre.

To find out more visit http://igg.me/at/jimmyshand