The programme for the 16th HAAL Festival at Portsoy this year includes a Saturday afternoon flute/whistle workshop, in the Town Hall Meeting Room, with Malcolm Reavell. Malcolm is also on the bill for the opening concert on Friday night

For more information on the 16th Haal concerts and workshops please visit https://bothyfolk.org/16th_haal/

Malcolm has been playing flute for more years than he can remember. He thinks he should probably play better than he does; his modesty completely underplays his ability as a player and tutor.

Malcolm’s playing and approach to teaching draws on his extensive experience of workshops with, and analytical listening to, world class flutes players from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton, North America, Brittany, Scandinavia etc. His interests extend into other genres including Jazz and classical music. His experience means Malcolm has an extensive repertoire of tunes, and an in depth of appreciation of flute and whistle technique, which he shares in a generous, open, constructive way in his workshops.

Malcolm has never made a recording, so you’ll not find him on YouTube apart from an odd clip from a flute fling event in 2018. Malcolm has played in various bands over the years, most notably the Aberdeen band “Hallyracket”, where also played sax. He likes to arrange tunes, improvise and sometimes writes tunes. His most famous composition is “The Road to Banff”, which took all of 5 minutes to write. It is a grade 3 violin piece. Other tunes are available!

Those of you inclined to butter up the tutor should know his favourite biscuits are Marks and Spencer lemon and lime Jaffa cakes, but he will still eat McVities chocolate digestives if forced to.

Malcolm is an active supporter of and contributor to the traditional flute community in Scotland and beyond. He is a founder member of Scottish Culture and Traditions (SC&T) in Aberdeen and is currently teaching flute with them. He has supported FluteFling since its inception.