News / Over 100 entries for young fiddler of year title
ONE HUNDRED and eleven fiddlers will compete in the 35th Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition at Mareel this weekend.
There are 153 entries from 111 fiddlers aged 6-16 and some 271 Shetland fiddle tunes will be performed before judges Claire White, Catriona Macdonald and Iain Williamson.
The competition opens at 9am on Friday with the junior competitors (up to and including primary six), followed by the intermediate competitors (P7-S1). Saturday will see the open competitors (those in S2-S4) performing from 9.15am and the public are welcome to come and go on both days.
It all culminates with the Young Fiddler of the Year concert at Mareel from 7.30pm on Saturday, showcasing the winning performances from two busy days of fiddling. The finalists will compete for the last time in front of the judges.
Shetland Folk Society secretary Valerie Watt said: “It is a great night with the audience and competitors eager to find out who will earn the prestigious title for 2016.”
The concert will also include the results of this year’s Shetland Folk Society tune competition, with the tunes to be performed by judges Violet Tulloch, Debbie Scott and Bryan Gear.
A collection of tunes will also be officially launched at the concert, the publication bringing together all the prize-winning tunes from 2013 to 2015. It features 23 tunes from 14 composers and is described as a “fantastic collection of contemporary Shetland fiddle tunes”.
The concert will also include guest performances from 2015 young fiddler of the year Bryden Priest and 2016 junior young musician of the year Harry Sandison.
Whoever wins fiddler of the year will have a new trophy to take home with them after the family of the late Frank Jamieson donated a new trophy in memory of the renowned composer and musician.
It incorporates the same beautiful glass fiddle design featured in the original trophy. Ronnie Jamieson, Frank’s son, will present the trophy.
Watt added: “Whilst many of the fiddlers go home with silverware in recognition for their talents, our biggest achievement is the fact that so many young fiddlers have committed traditional Shetland tunes to memory that will be etched in their minds for ever more.”
- Tickets for the concert on Saturday (23 April) are currently on sale from Shetland Box Office.
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