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SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS 2007 NOMINATIONS
ALBUM OF THE YEAR SPONSORED
BY BIRNAM CD
Devil’s Advocate
- Chris Stout Quintet
Devil’s Advocate intentionally reflects - and provides
a natural link between- Chris’s love of traditional
and contemporary music. The opening, joyously skirling title
track and the closing, deeply emotive Dynrost are rearranged
movements from Chris’s highly successful commission
for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, performed at Celtic
Connections 2007. In between, the music covers an amazing
dynamic range from atmospheric solo fiddle airs and intricate,
quicksilver ensemble passages to the kind of rollicking Shetland-Scandinavia
hoolie that Chris’s fans from Fiddlers’ Bid know
so well. CDTRAX305
Lightweights & Gentlemen
– Lau
Lau is the most exciting band to emerge on the folk scene
in recent times. Bursting with energy and inventiveness, all
three musicians are at the top of their game on their debut
CD exhibiting musical pyrotechnics and wizardry aplenty with
tune – writing and arranging skills, great harmonies
and sheer exuberance. Kris Drever’s singing, particularly
on The Unquiet Grave, is quite beautiful. Highly original
repertoire and some super takes on traditional song. Reveal17
Cuilidh - Julie Fowlis
Julie is a rising star of traditional music and with Cuilidh,
her second album, as ever the songs and tunes are shrouded
in the historical folklore of her native North Uist in the
Western Isles of Scotland. Julie's beautiful voice, coupled
with an all-star crew - including Eamon Doorley (Danu), John
McCusker (Kate Rusby), Chris Thile (Nickel Creek), Mark Kelly
(Altan), John Doyle (Solas) and Donald Shaw (Capercaillie)
- all combine to create another spellbinding selection of
traditional material gathered by Julie from the tradition-bearers
of her homeland. SPIT032
Just for Gordon –
Gordon Duncan
The CD consists of vintage ‘live’ solo material
gleaned from BBC archives, competition performances at Festival
Interceltique, Lorient, Brittany, 1997, and The Scottish Pipers’
Association Knockout Competition of 1993, plus some tracks
from a limited issue Cassette of 1990 and a solo track from
the Vale of Athol Pipe Band, Motherwell Concert, of 1996.
Gordon Duncan was widely regarded as one of the most skilled
and innovative traditional music performers and composers
of modern times and his influence can be heard within an entire
generation of younger musicians across Scotland and well beyond.
CDTRAX297
CLUB OF THE YEAR SPONSORED
BY LIVING TRADITION MAGAZINE
Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy
The club, which meets Thursdays at The Polish Club in Kirkcaldy,
is organised and run by Fiona and Sandy Forbes. They encourage
interest in Scottish Traditional and World music. They also
actively encourage links with other countries, have hosted
bands from USA, England, Germany among others and regularly
host "Open Mic" nights for the club members and
visitors. The Acoustic Music Club also has a partnership with
Rothes Halls which involves running ‘The Acoustic Music
Club presents..’ series of concerts and the annual ‘Lang
Spoon Festival’.
The String Jam Club, Galashiels
The String Jam Club is the premier monthly live unplugged
music venue in the Scottish Borders featuring headline acts
from throughout Britain as well as up-and-coming local musicians.
Launched in 1997 by singer-songwriter Allie Fox, who is the
host and resident musician, the String Jam Club is famous
for showcasing great eclectic music and for its friendly atmosphere.
The String Jam Club meets on the last Saturday of the month
at the Salmon Inn, Bank Street, Galashiels, Scottish Borders.
Ceol’s Craic, Glasgow
Ceol 's Craic the monthly Gaelic Club at the CCA
(Centre for Contemporary Arts)
The Haddington Accordion
& Fiddle Club
Haddington Accordion & Fiddle Club meets Oct
– April in The Railway Hotel, Court Street Haddington.
The club, which has been established for a number of years,
was recently adjudged to be the ‘Best in Scotland’
in a national poll of enthusiasts. The club afternoons are
compered by Bobby Colgan and attract a full house for their
monthly Sunday sessions. They provide a platform for performers
from far and near and feature a guest star of national repute.
COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE
YEAR SPONSORED BY BBC RADIO SHETLAND
Scots Music Group
Scots Music Group is a community education project
based in Edinburgh which aims to make the traditional music,
song and dance of Scotland widely available to everyone by
offering classes, events, workshops, social gatherings and
publications. Classes are led by tutors many of whom are professional
traditional musicians and teachers. Learning and playing the
music by ear is encouraged. The Scots Music Group also runs
a number of regular events including ceilidhs, sessions and
song workshops.
Scottish Traditional Boat
Festival –Ballads and Bairns Project
The Ballads and Bairns’ project works as a productive
partnership between Aberdeenshire's YMI, the Scottish Traditional
Boat Festival committee, freelance professional traditional
musicians and the primary schools in the Banff cluster. The
project is funded by Aberdeenshire’s Youth Music Initiative
(YMI) formula funding, along with some local Portsoy funding
and sponsorship, and involves upper primary pupils writing
new songs of local interest to traditional tunes with local
connections. These are then performed at the Boat Festival,
where traditional music plays a very important part of the
festival – as well as the beautiful traditional boats.
Glasgow Irish Minstrels
The Irish Minstrels meet every Tuesday evening at St Roch’s
Secondary School in Royston, Glasgow from 7.00 – 9.00
pm under the musical directorship of Frank McArdle, Principle
Maths Teacher at the school. Volunteer tutors give free classes
at all levels and to all age groups in harp, uilleann pipes,
fiddle, flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, drums, bodhrán,
banjo, mandolin and set dancing. All classes are free. With
over 200 members, the Irish Minstrels is the biggest branch
of Comhaltas outside Ireland. Members are encouraged to take
part in Scottish and Celtic traditional music events, concerts,
ceilidhs and sessions throughout the year and in this way
the Irish Minstrels contribute to the richness of traditional
music in Scotland, throughout Britain and across the world.
Taransay Fiddle Camp
The annual Taransay Fiddle Camp is gaining in popularity and
is definitely now one of the annual fiddle schools that fiddlers
worldwide wish to attend . Top tuition from great tutors plus
ceilidhs, concerts, stepdancing, keyboards, Gaelic singing,
golf, hill walking, swimming, historic walks and beautiful
deserted beaches. This most beautiful island lies just off
the coast of the Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
COMPOSER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED
BY DISTIL
Jim Sutherland
A leading figure on the Scottish, UK and international
music scene, Jim Sutherland is a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist
and composer, whose career has ranged across the fields of
rock, pop, folk, dance and more as well as a string of major
commissions for film, TV and theatre. In the past two years
alone he has composed scores for several film and TV projects
including the multi award winning feature film ‘Festival’
and the first Gaelic language film Seachd. In March 2006 Jim
received the Creative Scotland award 2006 for artists of distinction
and originality. The reward honours and celebrates leading
artists in Scotland. Through this Jim is currently creating
and writing music for a European Parading orchestra (La Banda
Europa ) with 120 musicians that will perform at festivals
and large scale celebrations around Europe over a two to three
year period.
Phil Cunningham
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative
accordion players of the times, Phil Cunningham also works
extensively in the television and film world as a composer,
music director and presenter. He has written orchestral suites
for Symphony orchestra and Celtic instruments and his ability
to write a really good melody has seen many of his compositions
enter the repertoires of folk musicians across the globe.
John McCusker
John McCusker is one of Scotland's foremost traditional musicians.
He joined the Battlefield Band at the age of 17 and toured
the world with them for 11 years. Composing is another genre
where John has shown his excellence with a book of 56 of his
own compositions “The Bothwell Boy” published
in 1998. His tunes have become session favourites and are
covered by numerous musicians. Score-writing is a natural
extension of that and John has been commissioned to write
music for various film/ television and stage projects.
Michael Marra
Michael Marra is acclaimed as one of Scotland’s finest
songwriters and has created a body of work that can be matched
by few of his contemporaries. Anyone who has witnessed his
solo shows will testify to his talent to entertain and, through
his combination of humour and thought provoking lyrics, to
offer insights into the human condition. In 2007 the University
of Dundee conferred an honorary degree on “Scotland's
finest songwriter who has celebrated Dundee across the world.”
EVENT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED
BY VISITSCOTLAND
Edinburgh International
Harp Festival
If you have ever wanted to know more about harps,
then the Edinburgh International Harp Festival is the place
to go. The festival, which celebrated its 26th year in 2007,
features a series of concerts, courses and workshops where
the harp is the central focus. There is a burning passion
for the harp which is kept alive generation after generation
by the passing on of musical talent, the instruments role
in local music and culture as well as by the enthusiasm generated
by events such as this one. The festival's atmosphere is one
of fun and learning and it is enjoyed by young and old alike.
All are encouraged to participate and the harp is given new
life as various artists apply it to different music genres.
The Royal National Mod
The Mod is an annual competition-based festival which celebrates
the Gaelic language and culture through music, dance, drama,
arts and literature. First held in Oban in 1892, the Mod has
now grown to become the second biggest festival in Scotland
attracting visitors and competitors from throughout the UK,
Ireland, Australia, Canada and the USA. Mod 2006 was held
in Dunoon and in 2007, Lochaber. Whilst the Mod is essentially
a competitive event it also represents an opportunity for
Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships as
well as forging new ones. It has evolved organically, responding
to contemporary changes in Gaelic education and the wider
field of the Gaelic arts, acting as an incentive for talented
individuals and groups to develop and refine their talents
in the public arena.
Cullerlie Singing Weekend
A unique celebration, held at Cullerlie Farm Park and Heritage
Centre in Echt, Aberdeenshire bringing together outstanding
traditional singers. The event is especially for those who
like to hear, enjoy, and join in traditional singing. Essentially
informal, friendly and non-competitive, it is just the place
to encourage the young and less experienced as well as the
old hands. The weekend includes ceilidhs featuring the guest
singers, singarounds, workshops, and a talk and celebrates
the singing traditions of Scotland, England, and Ireland .
The festival is held in memory of Tom and Anne Reid who promoted
the traditions of the North-East through singing and speaking
workshops as well as hosting regular Saturday-night ceilidhs.
Fest ‘n' Furious
Dundee’s annual Festival of Scottish Music takes place
over the city’s October Holiday weekend, traditionally
known as The Fast. This Festival offers a packed programme
featuring international stars and fresh local talent. Concerts,
ceilidh, talks, workshops, recitals and sessions provide a
rich mix of top quality sounds from the totally traditional
to the newly minted. The venues include the city’s Wighton
Heritage Centre, The Caird Hall and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
GAELIC SINGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY MACMEANMNA
Julie Fowlis
Julie Fowlis burst onto the wider music scene in
2006, when she became the first ever Scottish Gaelic singer
to win a prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Since winning
the Horizon Award for best newcomer, she has won the hearts
of audiences around the globe, played every major festival
in Britain, showcased in Texas and New York, and is in constant
demand as a performer of Gaelic music. The songs she was brought
up with in the Hebrides can now be heard just as regularly
on more mainstream BBC Radio and other stations throughout
the world as they can be at home on Gaelic radio. This was
shown in her ground breaking nomination just 8 months later
for Folk Singer of the Year 2007 at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
James Graham
James Graham from Lochinver became the first male as well
as the first singer to take the prestigious Young Scots Traditional
Musician of the Year Award at Celtic Connections in January
2004, and added a host of new admirers in the process. Since
then he has established himself as a noted Gaelic singer and
made numerous television appearances and recorded two CDs.
At the Mod 2007 in Fort William, James won both the Oran Mor
competition and the Mod's highest accolade – the Gold
Medal.
Calum Alex MacMillan
Calum Alex Macmillan was born and brought up on the Isle of
Lewis. From an early age he was surrounded my Gaelic song
and traditional music, his father Seonaidh being the lead
singer in the Gaelic folk group 'The Lochies'. In 2002, at
the age of 18, Calum Alex won the Mod Gold medal becoming
one of the youngest to do so, and followed this with the Traditional
Gold medal in 2004, and from winning this he received an invitation
to compete at the Pan Celtic Festival 2005 in Tralee where
he went on to win the prestigious Seann Nos competition. In
2006 Calum Alex recorded his debut solo CD and in 2007 was
invited to join traditional folk band Daimh.
Mary Smith
Mary Smith from Lewis is one of the Island's most respected
traditional singers and a frequent representative of the tradition
at overseas festivals. Among her many talents is the ability
to make you listen to even the most familiar song as if you
were hearing it for the first time. She sings with a profound
understanding of the Scottish Gaelic song tradition and with
a deep respect for both the creator of the song and the tradition
bearer who kept it alive and passed it on. Mairi was one of
the elite band of singers who took part in the Hebridean Celtic
Festival 'Atlantic Movement' commission, which brought together
seven female voices from both sides of the Atlantic and was
described by musical director Andy Thorburn as the "lynchpin"
of the women who took part in the song project.
SERVICES TO INDUSTRY AWARD
SPONSORED BY SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL
Coda Music
Coda is a Folk Music and Scottish Music shop situated
on The Mound in Edinburgh. They have been there since 1997
fulfilling the musical needs of folk music fans and visitors
to the capital from near and far. They not only have a great
selection of CDs, they also often host CD launches and every
trad musician knows of Coda. As a ‘real’ shop
they welcome your visits, or phone calls or e mails. You can
also listen to every track on every album in stock!
John Purser for Scotland's
Music – A Radio History
Every Sunday throughout most of 2007 BBC Radio-Scotland is
running a series of programs featuring the music of Scotland.
Prominent Scottish writer and musicologist, Dr John Purser’s
50-part radio adventure uncovering the history of the music
of Scotland from the Stone Age to present day is a mammoth
tour de force. The first series aired on Radio Scotland in
1992 to wide acclaim, and his accompanying book earned him
the 1993 McVitie's Scottish Writer of the Year Award. A new,
extended edition based on the research that informs his second
Scotland’s Music series is now available.
Taigh na teud
Taigh na Teud operates a mail order business from a Skye croft
. The company was set up in 1985 by Christine Martin with
a book and cassette of harp music. The success of this project
was so encouraging that the company expanded rapidly with
the Highland Tunes for the fiddle series and the well known
Ceilidh Collections. Christine Martin develops the new material
for the books, commissions new authors, and organises the
printing and graphics side while Alasdair Martin is sales
manager and in charge of despatch. Ronan Martin is web designer
and I.T. advisor to the company.
Thane Multi Media
Thane Multi Media is a Fife-based company specialising in
recording services , CD and DVD duplication and more. The
company also produce their own CDs under the label Thane Records
where, over the past 10 years the emphasis has been strongly
on the top Scottish Dance Bands, with many of the albums becoming
best sellers in their field.
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE
YEAR SPONSORED BY TEMPLE RECORDS
Alasdair White
Alasdair, from the Island of Lewis, has been an award-winning
fiddler since he emerged at age thirteen. Still only in his
early twenties he is already well known as Battlefield Band's
virtuoso fiddle player where his musicianship and tune making
have had a great influence on the bands repertoire and continuing
world-wide success. For those fiddle enthusiasts among you,
he plays in what might be called a "North-west"
Scottish style, heavily derived from the piping tradition.
His solo CD ‘The White Album’ was released in
2007.
Jenna Reid
Shetland’s Jenna Reid is one of Scotland’s most
vibrant young musicians and a swiftly rising star in the high-flying,
fast-paced, and very lively world of Scottish fiddle music.
In her playing she has stunning technical ability combined
with grace and beauty. The winner of the 'Up & Coming
Artist' at the Scots Trad Music Awards in December 2005, Jenna
has been working non-stop both with her own band and in Highland
group Dochas. She has recently been recording her second CD
and this month could be seen on television in the series Transatlantic
Sessions 3.
Catriona McKay
Catriona is one of Scotland's most versatile and creative
harpists. She writes and arranges music for solo performance
and for the ensembles she works with. She is a recital and
recording artist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and is
a performer of x-genre, contemporary and improvised music
as well as following her roots performing traditional Scottish
music worldwide. She plays harp and piano in the Shetland-based
band Fiddlers' Bid and the Chris Stout Quintet, Catriona continues
to be at the cutting edge of harp music as she develops her
interest in experimental music and improvisation,
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED
BY GREENTRAX
Runrig
Folk rockers Runrig are probably Scotland’s best known
band. They have gathered a huge fan-base across the world
with their totally unique sound created from the fusion of
traditional Gaelic folk music and contemporary rock which
has given them success in many countries around the globe
over three decades. They have recorded many acclaimed CDs
and DVDs but it is in their exciting live performances that
they can be seen in all their glory. A highlight of 2007 was
their day-long ‘Beat the Drum’ event in August
at Loch Ness as part of Highland 2007. In October, Runrig
were invited to record their ‘anthem’ Loch Lomond
together with the Tartan Army as a fundraiser for Children
In Need.
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
This year, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have been rocking the
world from Athens to Beijing. Since winning Prime Time BBC
One show 'When Will I Be Famous' with a blistering set of
‘Rock Bagpipes’ the Chillis have been playing
to packed houses and standing ovations night after night.
The band features Stuart Cassells the BBC Radio Scotland Young
Traditional Musician of the Year 2005, a twice world champion
snare drummer and with three of the band members being recent
graduates from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama,
the musicianship is first class.
Shooglenifty
The much-admired Shooglenifty are at the forefront of the
folk/fusion Celtic music scene, with their trademark combination
of superb musicianship, ensemble cohesion and inventiveness.
With influences much wider than the average Celtic revivalists,
the organic, trance-beat sound of the Edinburgh-based band
has given rise to the new descriptive categories 'acid croft'
and 'hypnofolkadelia' . A Shooglenifty gig is as near a guarantee
that you will get that the audience will be unable to resist
the urge to get up and dance.
Lau
LAU have been described as a formidable union of three of
the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional
music in Scotland today; Kris Drever (guitar and vocal), Martin
Green (piano accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle).
In the last eighteen months Lau have become one of the most
sought-after acts on the current Scottish scene. The summer
of 2007 saw them take festivals by storm across Europe, and
with Japanese and North-American dates to follow in the autumn,
it's becoming a world-wide party.
CITTY FINLAYSON SCOTS SINGER
OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND SONG ASSOCIATION
Scott Gardiner
Scott Gardiner is a favourite singer with roots in
Forfar, where his family farm. He has been singing in public
since he was eight and has a repertoire of traditional and
contemporary material, including many bothy ballads. As a
young singer, his formative influences were Jim Reid, Joe
Aitken, and Tam Reid. He has been a guest at festivals in
Scotland, England, and the USA
Gordeanna McCulloch
Gordeanna McCulloch began her singing apprenticeship in Norman
Buchan's Ballads Club in the sixties and went on to become
a fully fledged tradesperson with the Clutha, travelling extensively
at home and abroad singing powerfully and mainly traditional
songs. Gordeanna has a love of powerful songs, and the main
principle in singing a song is that she feels something about
it. She was for some time a member of the popular singing
quartet Palaver and still sings in an occasional duo with
Chris Miles and in the Glasgow based Eurydice Choir.
John Morran
With his richly expressive, subtly poignant voice, John Morran
is widely recognised as his generation's leading exponent
of Scots song. Hailing originally from the Ayrshire ex-mining
community of Muirkirk, with the nearest town in any direction
being ten miles away, the village remains a stronghold of
the Lowland Scots language which inspires much of John's singing,
whether in Burns ballads or contemporary compositions from
the region. John is the lead singer and guitarist with Scots
traditional band Deaf Shepherd.
Mairi Campbell
Mairi Campbell's voice is one of the great sounds of Scottish
folk music today. She is a fine interpreter of the songs of
Robert Burns as well as more contemporary Scottish material.
Mairi is a member of ‘The Cast’, and is also a
fine fiddle and viola teacher. In 2006 Mairi was chosen to
sing “Icker in a Thrave” the Scots entry for the
alternative Eurovision Song Contest for minority languages.
SCOTTISH DANCE BAND OF
THE YEAR SPONSORED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ACCORDION AND
FIDDLE CLUBS
Colin Dewar Scottish Dance
Band
Colin and his band are, for most people's money,
the top Scottish country dance band in Scotland. Although
catering for a more traditional dancing audience, Colin's
band are equally at home playing for weddings or ceilidhs.
Cullivoe Dance Band
Another famed Shetland dance band, once the group
fronted by Shetland fiddle legend the late Willie Hunter and
now featuring his protégé, and some would say
his spiritual successor Brian Gear. Again fronted by a very
fine Shetland accordionist, Ivor Scollay, the band continue
to be incredibly popular at events throughout Shetland and
beyond.
Ian Cruickshanks and his
Dance Band
The Ian Cruikshanks Band from Kirriemuir are a top
class dance band renowned not only for their excellent tunes
but also their a top class sound and timing. These qualities
which have made them popular with dancers and listeners alike,
have ensured that this dance band are always in demand.
Tom Orr Scottish Dance
Band
Of all the young generation of dance bands to emerge
in the last five years, Tom's band are leading the way in
Scotland. They have gained the respect of older and younger
bands and musicians alike. They have appeared on BBC Radio
Scotland’s Take The Floor and Reel Blend and they’ve
performed around Britain. Tom has won many awards including
Scottish Accordion Champion and Young Traditional Player of
the Year
SCOTTISH FOLK BAND OF THE
YEAR SPONSORED BY FOOT STOMPIN' CELTIC MUSIC
Dàimh
An exciting combination of musicians hailing from
Cape Breton Island, Ireland, the West Highlands of Scotland
and the ever-innovative Irish/American scene, the band effortlessly
blends music from their native traditions with a few more
tunes picked up en-route. Their music is a very high energy,
fast-flowing mixture of tunes and songs from the traditions
of their countries represented Fusing together their individual
styles on bagpipes, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bodhran and mandola
to create a unique and compelling sound, their music knows
no boundaries. In 2007 Calum Alex MacMillan from Lewis, joined
the band adding the depth and power of Gaelic song to an already
phenomenal instrumental arsenal.
Old Blind Dogs
Over the years Old Blind Dogs have evolved and grown
into one of Scotland's favourite folk bands. The current line
up Johnny Hardie (Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals), Rory
Campbell (Border (Reel) Pipes, Whistles, Vocals), Fraser Stone(Drums,
Percussion) and Aaron Jones(Bass, Bouzouki, Guitar, Vocals)
continues the strong combination of great instrumentalists
and singers. 2007 has seen the 15th Anniversary reunion concerts
and a new CD “Four on the Floor. The band which has
an extensive following particularly in the US continuous to
delight audiences while putting Scotland’s traditional
music on the world stage.
Breabach
Since 2003 Breabach's innovative celtic style has
won acclaim with audiences internationally. The band are largely
defined by a contemporary pipe and dance-driven sound, commended
not just for their strathspeys and reels but also for their
sympathetic treatment of traditional songs and slower melodies.
Having won the Danny Kyle award in 2005, the successes of
Breabach have culminated in the release of a debut album,
'The Big Spree' under Vertical records. Great music and fabulous
entertainment, Breabach produce a show not to be missed!
Fiddlers' Bid
Fiddlers' Bid are internationally respected as leading
exponents of their rich fiddle tradition and are global ambassadors
for Shetland. Since forming in 1991, they have established
an identity as a unique band with a harmonious and almost
symphonic sound developed though many years of playing together.
They have performed at some of the largest folk festivals
in the world including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in
2003 and Cambridge Festival in 2007. The band's dynamic four-fiddle
front line combined with a powerhouse of piano, bass, guitar
and Scottish harp creates a display of stunning virtuosity.
SCOTTISH PIPE BAND OF THE
YEAR SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PIPING CENTRE
The Mid Argyll Pipe Band
Passing on skills to the young and providing opportunities
for them to perform has been crucial to the continued success
of the Mid Argyll Pipe Band since its inception 80 years ago.
The Pipe Band has become a greatly admired sight and sound
throughout many Mid Argyll communities, at events, gatherings
and special occasions, entertaining locals and visitors alike.
In 2007 they put together a show Blackwood & Hickory,
celebrating 80 years of piping in Mid Argyll.
Strathclyde Police Pipe
Band
Strathclyde police Pipe Band: From the band's earliest
roots as the Burgh of Govan Police Pipe Band through to it's
present day identity, competitive success at the highest level
- they are 12 times winners of the RSPBA World Pipe Band Championships
- has always been a key element of the exemplary reputation
harboured by the band on behalf of Strathclyde Police. The
band is also enjoyed by the communities of Strathclyde who
attend the numerous public engagements in which the band performs
throughout the force area.
Inveraray & District
Pipe Band
The town’s first pipe band in 70 years –
is the brainchild of piper Stuart Liddell. He hit on the idea
of forming a pipe band while giving weekly bagpipe lessons
in local schools. Stuart received £17,000 from the Scottish
Arts Council and Awards for All, enabling the group to buy
instruments and other equipment. The band takes part in competitions
and is regularly asked to play at local community and charity
events Stuart sees the band as a fantastic opportunity for
the youngsters as they're learning discipline and teamwork
and about Scottish history and culture.
The National Youth Pipe
Band of Scotland
The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland was formed
in 2002 by The National Piping Centre in Glasgow. The band,
under the direction of Paul Warren, are a non-competing, performance-orientated
band intended to nurture and develop the talents of Scotland's
best young pipers and drummers. The band is made up of fifty
of the best young pipers and drummers from across Scotland,
with ages ranging from 12 to 18. The pipers in the band come
from both solo piping and pipe band backgrounds with the band
giving them the opportunity to explore other musical styles.
UP AND COMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ROYAL
SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
Shona Mooney
Borders fiddle player Shona Mooney is one of Scotland’s
leading traditional musicians. Since winning the prestigious
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year
2006 she has appeared at international festivals such as Tønder
(Denmark), gone on tour with Scottish folk orchestra, The
Unusual Suspects and recorded “Heartsease” her
highly acclaimed debut album. A reviewer said of a performance,
“The Shona Mooney show was everything modern folk ought
to be: daring and progressive, with a willingness to step
outside the genre while respecting its traditions.”
Maeve Mackinnon
Maeve Mackinnon is one of Scotland's foremost young
Gaelic and Scots singers. Born and bred in Glasgow, with Skye
and Swedish ancestry, she is fast making a name for herself
with her fresh and contemporary interpretations of traditional
Gaelic and non-Gaelic material. An Honours graduate of the
RSAMD's Scottish Music degree, Maeve was a featured artist
on the BBC's coverage of Celtic Connections 2007, Scottish
Television’s, "Ceol aig a' Chaisteal” and
she has just completed an educational music series in Gaelic
for BBC Scotland. Maeve’s debut album ‘Don’t
Sing Love Songs’ received a five star review from the
Scotsman who described it as “one of the most absorbing
albums to be released in Scotland for a long time".
Ross Ainslie & Jarlath
Henderson
Ross and Jarlath first started playing together back
in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, and have since
joined forces to create a pipe sound that pushes the boundaries
of what both instruments can achieve together. Jarlath Henderson
is a three time All-Ireland Champion' Uilleann Piper and was
the first Irish musician to win the prestigious BBC 'Young
Folk Musician Of The Year', a major national award . Ross
Ainslie hails from Perth and is a former member of the Grade
1 Vale of Atholl pipe band. He has since toured with his tutor
the late Gordon Duncan and was involved in Ivan Drever's band
'Clueless' before recently playing with Flook!, Dougie Maclean
& Salsa Celtica.
Mike and Ali Vass
Twins, Mike and Ali Vass, just 22 years old, have
been playing together for ten years. Mike (fiddle, vocals)
and Ali (piano, vocals) are two of the best young exponents
of traditional music in Scotland. Playing a varied mix of
traditional and contemporary tunes, songs with close vocal
harmonies and footstompin’ jigs and reels, Mike and
Ali’s performances are bursting with energy, drive and
vitality.
STRATHSPEY AND REEL SOCIETY
OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY
Fochabers Fiddlers
This young people's fiddle orchestra group from the
village of Fochabers in Morayshire has several recordings
and international tours to its credit. Led by James Alexander,
the group's activities reflect the importance placed on traditional
arts and arts instruction in Scottish communities
Aberdeen Strathspey and
Reel Society
The Society was established in 1928. Since then the
society has flourished to it's current level of 85 regular
members ranging in age from 11 to over 90. They also have
a well attended junior section. The society performs at various
venues throughout the North East of Scotland including at
least one main concert per year. In more recent years they
have broadened their horizons with trips to France, Ireland,
Canada and Shetland. The society has always supported local
charities and many of its concerts are used to raise funds.
Lothian Schools
Strathspey and Reel Society
As part of the movement to preserve and develop Scottish
traditional fiddle playing the Lothian Schools Strathspey
and Reel Society was formed in 1983 by its conductor Yla Steven.
Its membership is drawn from pupils attending schools in the
City of Edinburgh and surrounding Lothians who meet weekly
to rehearse their skills. The current membership is around
40. The Society gives public performances and takes part in
competitions and displays fostering the playing of Scottish
fiddle music by young people.
The Border Strathspey &
Reel Society
The Border Strathspey & Reel Society welcomes
all players of accordion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and
flute with an interest in playing traditional music in an
orchestral setting. They have members from Dumfries &
Galloway, Scottish Borders, Lothian, Lanarkshire, Cumbria
and Northumberland. Apart from the pleasure members enjoy
from playing together their public performances are used as
a means to raise money for good causes and since formation
in 1973 they have helped raise thousands of pounds to the
benefit of the public at large, either here at home or overseas.
VENUE OF THE YEAR
An Tobar – Tobermory
An Tobar is the Tobermory Arts Centre based in a
beautifully renovated Victorian school building overlooking
Tobermory Bay on the Isle of Mull. The centre runs a concert
programme featuring some of this country’s best performers
and covering folk, jazz, pop and contemporary music as well
as an exhibition programme showing some of the best of Scotland's
national artists and makers to suit a broad range of tastes
from contemporary installations and new media to innovative
craft and fine arts. An Tobar also offers a workshop programme
which changes throughout the year and is a focus and showcase
for many local artists and musicians.
St Andrew's in the Square
– Glasgow
St Andrew's in the Square is a Beautiful 18th century
church recently restored and considered an architectural gem
by visitors to Glasgow. It has reopened as a performance space
and centre for Scottish music upstairs and an amazing auditorium
available for concerts, weddings, ceilidhs and conferences
downstairs. It has a warm intimate café serving contemporary
Scottish food. There are frequent live music events and the
centre is ‘home’ every Thursday to Glasgow’s
long-running ‘Star Folk Club’.
An Lanntair – Stornoway
An Lanntair is a well established arts centre based
in the heart of Stornoway combining an excellent cafeteria
with a view over Stornoway harbour, a gift shop, exhibition
space and arts venue, the centre provides locals and visitors
alike with a fantastic programme of exhibitions, music and
cultural events. The art centre’s music and cultural
programme ranges from jazz and rock to Gaelic events which
give visitors a sense of the rich oral and cultural heritage.
Tolbooth – Stirling
Located in the heart of the old town, The Tolbooth
is Stirling's venue for live music and the arts. Re-opened
in 2002, after a sensational restoration and redesign by award
winning architect Richard Murphy, the Tolbooth has quickly
established a reputation as one of the best live music venues
in the country. The Tolbooth organise a year round performance
programme, courses and classes, an arts development programme
across the whole area and it is home to The Blend, Stirling's
annual roots music festival.
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