Each musician performed for 10 minutes and displayed a mixture of tunes and songs in Scots and Gaelic. They were judged by 6 judges on their technical ability and performance skills who debated long into the night to pick the six musicians to go through to the finals in January. The finals take place at Celtic Connections Festival on the 22nd January in the Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The prize for winning is a performance at an international festival, the chance to make a CD with Foot Stompin’ Records, and memberships of the Traditional Music and Song Association and Musicians’ Union.

The finalists are:

Kirsty Cotter – fiddle (Glasgow)
Christopher Keatinge – accordion (Melrose)
Darren MacLean – Gaelic song (Skye)
Shona Mooney – fiddle (Lauder)
Hamish Napier – flute, piano, Scots song (Grantown on Spey)
Fraser Shaw – pipes, whistle (Islay)

The evening was opened by David Mundell MP who emphasised the need for events like this that highlight the excellent work that many young people are doing. He also presented Lauren Weir with the David Roberts Memorial Plate for a promising traditional musician in South Lanarkshire.

This Award exists to encourage young musicians to keep their tradition alive and to maximise their musical potential by the pursuit of a career in traditional music. The winner will be provided with high profile performance opportunities and the necessary tools and advice they require to launch a career in traditional music.

For more information contact:
Simon Thoumire
Hands Up for Trad
07775 854572
info@handsupfortrad.co.uk

Back to BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2006