News / Youth keep Shetland’s fiddle tradition alive
UNST teenager Bryden Priest from Uyeasound was declared Shetland’s Young Fiddler of the Year 2015 after winning a closing fought competition involving six finalists in front of a packed audience at the Garrison Theatre on Saturday night.
Jasmin Smith, aged 13, from Bigton, took the title of Traditional Young Fiddler of the Year, and 11 year old Lerwick lass Ashleigh Jarmson won the title of Junior Young Fiddler of the Year
Around 100 young fiddlers between the ages of seven and 16 performed 272 tunes for judges Peter Gear, Maurice Henderson and Catriona Macdonald over two days.
Other winners were 11 year old Emma Leask from Gulberwick (Junior Traditional Fiddler of the year), and George Spence, age 12 from Uyeasound (Intermediate Young Fiddler of the Year and Traditional Intermediate Young Fiddler of the Year)
Event organiser Vaila Grant said: “Friday was a hectic and fun filled day. Competitors were on and off stage in quick succession. The atmosphere backstage was great with fiddlers keen to share tunes and let off some steam after their performance.”
Fellow organiser Valerie Watt expressed thanks to the Shetland Charitable Trust and the Shetland Musical Heritage Trust for their financial support.
She added: “Each fiddler in the competition learns a set of Shetland tunes that will be etched on their memory for life.
“Whilst it is great to recognise the award-winning fiddlers, it is also valuable that so many fiddlers are committing to memory tunes that are part of our musical heritage.”
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