PRESS RELEASE

24/01/05 for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Young Scots bagpiper blasts his way to prestigious piping prize.

Watch a video of Stuart's winning performance.

Watch a video of Maeve Mackinnon

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award Finals 2005

On Sunday 23rd January Stuart Cassells from Falkirk won the 2005 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. He performed for 15 minutes and gave a performance of great stature which the audience loved (and cheered very loudly for). Stuart's bagpiping was amazing and he demonstrated all his skills in a dexterous and very humorous set. Stuart will now go on to perform at high profile festivals throughout the UK and the world, make a CD with Foot Stompin' Records, and receive memberships with the Musicians' Union and the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland.

The six musicians (read about the finalists) who competed for the award all played fantastically to make a very special night. They were Rachel Newton (Edinburgh), Mike Vass (Nairn), Darren Maclean (Skye), Stuart Cassells (Falkirk), Sarah Naylor (Skye), and Maeve Mackinnon (Glasgow). All will go on to have amazing careers in traditional music in the future and we wish them all the best.

The awards were introduced by Jeff Zycinski, Head of Radio, BBC Scotland and opening remarks were made by Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.

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.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Simon Thoumire @ "Hands Up For Trad"
w: www.handsupfortrad.co.uk. e: info@handsupfortrad.co.uk t: 01899850658 m: 07775854572

Notes to the Editor

For more details check out www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/youngtrad
Sponsors and partners are BBC Radio Scotland, South Lanarkshire Council, Foot Stompin' Records, Celtic Connections festival, Scottish Arts Council, Musicians Union, British Council Scotland, Feisan Nan Gael, Traditional Music and Song Association, Clydesdale Folk Club, Tangent Multimedia, Stringmail.

Past winners: Gillian Frame (Arran), Emily Smith (Thornhill) and Anna Massie (Fortrose), James Graham (Lochinver).