SHETLAND BLUES
AUGUST 2026

Inspired by the giant knitting piece 27 Shades of Shetland Blues by Fair Isle textile artist Marie Bruhat (in photograph above taken by Maëlys Gauthier), this project explores the colour Blue across artforms. On Shetland mainland we work with the Shetland Youth Orchestra at Mareel in Lerwick; the young musicians of Bigton at Hymhus and round our time off on the mainland with a concert of blues, jazz and classical music at the community venue Hymhus, which also involves young musicians playing side-by-side with us.
Then to Fair Isle, for our week-long residency that co-creates new blues pieces for performance, involving schools workshops in music, composition, performance, art and craft and open-to-all workshops in music and craft, which include creating a giant knitted Fair Isle motif with Marie Bruhat; monochrome blue watercolours and cyanotypes - culminating in premieres by and for the community woven into our culminating concert in the Hall.

Shetland Blues builds on previous programmes of work. CHROMA has a relationship with the islands of Shetland and Fair Isle going back 24 years - this is our 10th visit. 

BIGTON feedback from 2023

“We were delighted to have the opportunity to reconnect with our old friends CHROMA (we first worked with them in 2006) when they visited Bigton in September with a Spanish Armada themed project. The bairns loved taking part in the schools' workshops in Renaissance music and dancing. It was such a highlight to have Chroma join us at Bigton Band and for everyone to get the chance to listen to instruments that they rarely hear - and played so beautifully. The visitors really embraced the spirit of our 'open-to-all' group with energetic, fun and inclusive activities. It was such a memorable experience to improvise sections of Warlock’s “Mattechins” with them. They even had us all singing the Spanish song “Cabrillas Galopando” in 4 parts. The Bigton community turned out in force for the free gig in our new venue Hymhus, with Bigton Band joining CHROMA for the finale. It was the first time the venue had hosted an acoustic classical chamber group since we gained community ownership of the kirk and it was so special to hear the detail of all the instruments and appreciate the high level of musicianship, sensitivity and interplay between the performers. Special thanks to Claire for organising and for creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the workshops and the concert - the personal touch makes such a difference and helps to make classical music seem all the more accessible. CHROMA made a lasting impression and helped to motivate not just the bairns but the grown up tutors too! It was very much enjoyed by all and we hope they will come back again soon. “

Alice Ritch, co-founder, the Bigton Collective

Team SHETLAND BLUES

CHROMA:
Stuart King, clarinettist and Artistic Director of CHROMA
Claire Shovelton, CHROMA Producer, art, photographer
Jo Turner, bassoon and textile artist Chihiro Ono, violin
Jessica May piano

FAIR ISLE:
Marie Bruhat textile artist

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FAIR ISLE

“CHROMA visited Fair Isle in September 2023 for a wonderful week of immersive music, dance, crafts and history.  From 5 year olds in primary 1 to islanders in their 80s, all of us benefited hugely from this week of creative fun.  CHROMA are highly skilled in encouraging and engaging the children, including kids with additional support needs, and all found a happy place to write their own music and take part in the activities.  CHROMA used a local theme, the wreck of a Spanish Armada ship here in Fair Isle, and brought the story to life with music, writing, beach combing and even dance.  The children learned about music and performance in a comfortable setting and will always have that to treasure, and us adults got to join in and enjoy world-class performances, even here in the UK's remotest inhabited island.  We hope our now long-standing friendship with CHROMA continues to keep enriching our lives here in Fair Isle.”

Eileen Thomson, secretary Fair Isle Community Association

Schools feedback from 2023:
”On behalf of the staff and children, I would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone on the CHROMA team for a fantastic week of creativity and fun! The children fully immersed themselves in every activity and the whole community were extremely proud of their performance on Saturday night. The concert was beautiful and we were mesmerised by the musical pieces. We are very grateful and look forward to next time! “
Gillian Maxwell, Head Teacher, Fair Isle School

“The bairns really enjoyed the day, and I cannot believe how it all came together. Two of my bairns are in the school, one was part of the musical group and one in the dance group. Both have raved about Friday and really enjoyed it.”
Louise Leslie, Acting Head, Dunrossness Primary