Saturday - concert day. We have sent the word out that we’ll be in hall for an all-comers music session from 2pm. We start with a general warm up and singing, then show those gathered all the sections the children have put together. Neil joins us on guitar. Once we’ve run through to almost the end we ask if they would be happy to sing Unst Boat Song as the finale of the piece.

Young Grace joins Eileen, Neil, Stewart, Anne and Pat to sing the Unst Boat Song acapella… it is stunning, a beautiful blend of voices, all the generations together, and moves us CHROMAties to tears - they turn to us and say “was it that bad?” as we wipe our eyes - laughing we make it clear it was the great beauty and soul of the singing that is making us an emotional mess!

We play them Stu’s arrangement of the song for the CHROMA quartet, which fortunately they approve of mightily.

So we have a complete piece to premiere later! The set looks amazing with Fiona’s drowned Captain’s cabin swagged with Jo’s giant macrame, and the El Gran Grifón installation of our research, beachcombed finds, Elizabethan-style macrame jewellery and the peerie bairns’ drawings looks splendid.

We arrange the audience chairs in an elliptical curve like a wave coming into shore, with enough room on one side for the Sword dancers, and head off to our hosts for break and supper.

Concert time sees a hall filled with islanders and visitors (birders staying with Hollie and an artist staying at the Fair Isle Studio). We start with the premiere of Armada! The Misadventure of El Gran Grifón – everyone performs it so well, and it goes down a storm. Then the CHROMA quartet play a selection of Spanish dances - some Albeniz, de Falla, Grovlez and Ravel, taking it in turns to introduce the pieces. The bairn’s feet are tapping, but they hold on until the encore – CHROMA play Pieds-en-L’air from Warlock’s Capriol Suite - they run into the middle and make a tumbling, rolling choreography on the floor together. Quite as it should be!

After the post-concert chatting the CHROMAties, hosts and schoolies gather at Houll to celebrate and breathe out. There are delicious snacks, daft stories and much laughter around the kitchen table.

Thank yous today to everyone who contributed, made and performed The Misadventure of El Gran Grifón, what a wonderful time we’ve had this week - the 435th anniversary of its wreck! Thanks also to Eileen and Guillermo for hosting the post-concert gathering.

Blogging by Claire Shovelton

The Community of Fair Isle and CHROMA present:
Armada! The Misadventure of El Gran Grifón

Part 1: Creative Writing by Harris, spoken by Grace
underscored by Fair Isle School with Galliard drumbeat and sea shanty violins
The Fair Isle School Galliards with Ferrabosco: intro sung in the Ferrabosco tune:
“Fighting for the King of Spain / We will end Queen Bess’ reign / Hoist the sail! / Weigh the anchor! / Glory to Armada!”

Part 2: Creative Writing by Luca spoken by Hollie
Fire ships: Ritual Fire Dance - Fair Isle School on percussion

Part 3: Creative Writing by Freyja part 1, spoken by Pat
Sword Dance: Warlock Mattachins
Sing: Cabrillas Galopando (White Horses Galloping)

Creative Writing by Freyja part 2, spoken by Pat
Acapella Unst Boat Song performed by Anne, Pat, Eileen, Grace, Stewart and Neil
followed by Stu’s arrangement for the CHROMA quartet