News / Sophie scoops young fiddler trophy
LERWICK’S Garrison Theatre was packed on Saturday night to watch 15 year old Cunningsburgh lass Sophie Moar crowned Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year.
The Traditional Fiddler of the Year trophy went to Chyan Davidson on a night that proved Shetland’s seam of high quality young musicians is as rich as ever it was.
Judges Peter Gear, Lois Nicol and Claire White said they had a hard choice due to the high standard of playing by the largest number of entrants the competition has ever seen, with 110 performers over two days.
Sophie Moar also won the new Cat Gut and Ivory Trophy for the best played reel and Alana Smith won the Martin Laurenson Memorial Trophy for the best played slow air.
Runner up young fiddler was Fraser Tait, with Alana Smith third. Laura Brannan came second in the traditional young fiddler contest followed by Cara Steven.
The Shetland Folk Society Tune Competition was won junior composer Hannah Adamson with Cara Steven taking second and third place.
Their tunes were performed by judges Violet Tulloch and Debbie Scott, with some help from Bryan Gear, who also performed tunes by the senior prize winners Steven Spence, Christine Hughson and Tom Deyell.
The Traditional Junior Young Fiddler of the Year prize went to Anya Johnston, with Mia Clarke coming second and Emma Leask third.
Anya Johnston made it a hat trick by taking the title Junior Young Fiddler of the Year with Mia Clarke and Aimee Smith coming joint runner up.
Jodie Smith was named Intermediate Young Fiddler of the Year and also won the Lell Robertson Memorial Trophy for the best played waltz in the Intermediate section. Jasmin Smith came second and Katie Whyte took third place.
Fortunes were reversed in the Traditional Intermediate section with Jamsin Smith this time winning with Jodie taking second in this competition while Scott Laurenson and Lauren Sandison shared third place.
As winners of the Open sections Sophie Moar and Chyan Davidson have busy year of engagements ahead, starting with the folk festival next weekend.
They have also been offered a free place as a student at the Shetland Fiddle Frenzy, worth up to £300 each, courtesy of Shetland Arts.
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