BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2010 Finalists Announced.

Hands Up for Trad have announced the finalists of the 2010 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. The 6 musicians below one through from a field of 12 on the 3rd October in Coulter, South Lanarkshire.

Paddy Callaghan – accordion, harp (Glasgow)                    
Mairi Chaimbeul - harp  (Sleate)
Lorne MacDougall – pipes (Carradale)
Hannah Phillips – harp (Glasgow)             
Daniel Thorpe – fiddle (Glasgow)             
Kyle Warren – pipes (Helensburgh)

These musicians will now go through to the finals which take place on the 31st January 2010 at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Final. This takes place as part of Showcase Scotland, the biggest collection of promotors from around the world all in Glasgow to listen and book Scottish musicians. It’s a real opportunity for the young musicians to forge a career in traditional music.

In the 10th year of the Award the winner 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.

The BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 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.

Many thanks to our sponsors who are Scottish Arts Council, Foot Stompin' Scottish music, Celtic Connections festival, Greentrax Recordings, Musicians Union, British Council Scotland, Traditional Music and Song Association , Watercolour Music. Please support them.

ENDs

Notes to the editor

Contact Simon Thoumire 07775 854572, info@handsupfortrad.co.uk
The concert was part of a weekend of workshops and sessions held at Wiston Lodge, Wiston, South Lanarkshire.
For a list of previous winners please visit http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/youngtrad

Performer biographies
Lorne MacDougall - pipes, whistle (Carradale, Argyll)
Lorne is a product of the renowned Argyllshire piping scene and is adept on Highland Pipes, Smallpipes, Border Pipes and Whistle. He has made frequent radio appearances including live sessions on Travelling Folk and Pipeline as well as playing on Ross Kennedy's 'Scottish Voice and Acoustic Guitar' CD. His pipe band career has led him to the very top of Grade 1 playing with the cream of Scottish pipe bands, the Scottish Power Pipe Band.

Mairi Chaimbeul - clarsach, voice (Sleate)
Mairi from Skye has been performing and competing from a young age. She has won many Mod Gold medals winning her first at 8 and her last in 2008. She is currently at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh where she studies with Catriona McKay and next weekend she and her sister Steaphanaidh are in the semi-finals of the 2010 Young Folk Award.

Kyle Warren – pipes (Helensburgh)
Kyle started playing the pipes aged 8 and is now a member of grade 1 Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. He is a keen composer with 2 of his tunes making it into Michael Grey's fifth collection of bagpipe music. His time as Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland gave him the opportunity to work with some great names including Donald Shaw and Carlos Nunez.

Paddy Callaghan - accordion, harp (Glasgow)
Patrick is from Glasgow and has learnt his music from St Rochs (part of the Irish Minstrels in Glasgow). He has won many fleadh's on both accordion and harp and is currently an in demand trad music DJ. He also plays with The Chihuahuas who had a hit with their rockabilly version of Prince's Purple Rain.

Daniel Thorpe - fiddle (Inverurie)
Daniel has been brought up with traditional music and was involved with many groups including the Garioch Fiddlers. He studied traditional music in Plockton before graduating with honours from the RSAMD. He is now performing with ceilidh band 'Heuch' and Canterach with whom he has performed all over Europe. He has been involved in many collaborations and has been chose by AIYF to represent them at the International Festival for Emerging Artists.

Hannah Phillips - clarsach (Glasgow)
Hannah is passionate about folk, solo and chamber music. She began studies at the RSAMD in 2005 and during her time there won the Governor's String Recital Prize. She graduated with first class honours and took up a place on the Post Graduate Diploma in Scottish Music in September.

Back to BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award