AFO China Tour Itinerary

<Beijing>
Date: 7:30PM,  2 July
Venue: Beijing Concert Hall

<Shanghai>
Date: 10:00AM, 4 July
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Center

<Hangzhou>
Date: 7:30PM, 5 July
Venue: Hangzhou Theatre

<Huzhou>
Date: 7:30PM, 6 July
Venue: Huzhou Grand Theatre

<Suzhou>
Date: 7:30PM, 7 July
Venue: Suzhou Science and Culture Center

<Shenzhen>
Date: 7:30PM, 9 July
Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall

The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra was founded in August 1982 by Wallace and Lex Galbraith, who are both string instrument tutors in Ayrshire in South West Scotland, with the aim of encouraging and developing Scots Fiddle Music among local young musicians many of whom were, or had been their pupils.

The Orchestra has steadily matured since those early beginnings and now has 130 members - violinists, cellists, bass players, accordionists and percussionists from 10 to 18 years old. The eminent Scots fiddler, and former member of the orchestra, Alistair McCulloch is now Musical Director of the AFO. Another former member, Blair Parham joins him as part of the musical team.

Apart from two major concerts in Ayr at Christmas and midsummer, the Orchestra perform regularly throughout South Ayrshire and the West of Scotland, giving Charity concerts and providing musical entertainment at a wide range of corporate and civic events.

International Tours have become a regular feature of the Orchestra's activities with the dual benefit of taking their particular brand of fiddle playing to a wider audience and introducing the players to different cultures and customs. France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America –including the White House! – have resounded to their rhythmic playing over the past 15 Tours.

The Orchestra will perform in Beijing Concert Hall on 2 July, Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre on 4 July, Hangzhou Grand Theatre on 7 July and Shenzhen Concert Hall on 9 July before travelling to Hong Kong and then back to Scotland.