HANDS UP FOR TRAD PRESS RELEASE

09/10/2007 for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Young traditional musicians win through to career changing concert.

Saturday night saw 6 musicians win through to the final of the Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. This is just the start in what can be a career changing concert with the winner going on to make a CD and perform at many high profile events throughout 2008. The event was opened by Aileen Campbell MSP. The finalists are:

Ewan Robertson (24) – Carrbridge (Guitar, song)
Robert Menzies – (17) Dumfries (Accordion, piano)
Amy Lord (22) – Dunblane (Scots Song)
James Duncan MacKenzie - (18) Isle of Lewis (Pipes, smallpipes, flute, whistles)
Steven Blake (17) - Livingston (Pipes, whistle)
Ailie Robertson (23) – Edinburgh (Clarsach)

The six were chosen from the 12 fantastic young musicians who took part in the Award’s semi-finals concert in Coulter, South Lanarkshire on Saturday 6th October. In an amazing night of music showcasing Scotland’s strength of talent in up and coming young traditional musicians, the filled to capacity hall, which including 4 judges, were treated to an exhilarating and always entertaining exhibition of musicianship and stagecraft from the competitors.

This is the eighth year of the competition and the grand finals will take place on 27th January 2007 in The City Halls, Glasgow as part Celtic Connections Festival.

The winner of the Award will get the chance to perform at an International music festival, make a CD, 1 year’s membership of the Musician’s Union. All the finalists will get 1 years membership of the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA), a tour of Scotland organised by the TMSA, and a session on BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk programme.

This is an Award that 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 evening also saw the presentation by Aileen Campbell MSP of the "The David Roberts Memorial Plate" is awarded annually to a promising young traditional musician from South Lanarkshire (under 16). This year the award will go to fiddler Tom Gold from Douglas. Tom is doing really well for himself. He won the prestigeous Musselburgh Festival Band Competition in 2006 as well participating in a challenging nine day tour of Northern Germany and performing to a full “Ceilidh Tent” at T in the Park. His future career looks a certainty.

ENDS

Read more information on the finalists.

Read the evening's programme (pdf)

For further information contact: Simon Thoumire @ "Hands Up For Trad"
w: www.handsupfortrad.co.uk. e: info@handsupfortrad.co.uk t: 0131 208 3089 m: 07775854572

Past winners: Gillian Frame (Arran), Emily Smith (Thornhill), Anna Massie (Fortrose), James Graham (Lochinver), Stuart Cassells (Falkirk), Shona Mooney (Lauder), Catriona Watt (Isle of Lewis).
Event sponsors are South Lanarkshire Council, Foot Stompin' Records, Celtic Connections Festival, Musicians Union, Watercolour Music, British Council Scotland, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Traditional Music and Song Association, Clydesdale Folk Club.

Back to BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician