Young fiddlers prepare to take part in annual competition
A TOTAL of 100 budding musicians will participate in this year’s Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition.
The event will take place at Mareel in Lerwick on 27 and 28 April and its judging panel will see the return of two familiar faces.
Iain Williamson, who plays with the David Halcrow Band and Hjaltibonga, will be a judge for the third time.
Linda Gair, who has performed with Rock, Salt and Nails and the Brian Morrison Dance Band, returns to the competition for a second time.
They are joined by Orcadian fiddler Jennifer Wrigley, who will sit on the judging panel for the first time.
“It is so nice to be asked north for this special event,” she said.
“I have many good friends in Shetland and it will be really special to hear all the fantastic young talent. I’m sure it will be a challenge to choose the winning performances!”
Junior and intermediate competitors will take to the stage on the Friday (27 April) with the seniors competing the following day. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and entry is free.
The main young fiddler concert, meanwhile, will take place on the Saturday night and it will see the senior players perform in front of the judges for the last time.
There will also be performances from the junior and intermediate champions, while Violet Tulloch, Debbie Scott and Bryan Gear will perform prize winning compositions.
The event will conclude with the announcement of the winner of the Foung Fiddler of the Year prize. Tickets are available now via the Shetland Arts box office.
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