News / Record numbers for young fiddler competition
A RECORD number of entrants will feature in this year’s Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition.
The event, which will take place at Mareel in Lerwick on 21 and 22 April, has received 171 entries from 101 fiddlers aged between seven and 16.
Catriona Macdonald, Iain Williamson and Linda Gair will preside over the competition as judges.
This year will see a change in the way the main title is awarded, with points accrued over both the young fiddler and traditional sections.
Shetland Folk Society secretary, Valerie Watt said the record-breaking number of entrants bodes well for the competition.
“More fiddlers are entering both the young fiddler and traditional sections,” she said.
“This is a very encouraging trend as this demonstrates they are confident playing both contemporary and traditional tunes.”
Speaking about the change in format for deciding the winner, Watt added: “This gives equal value to both contemporary and traditional Shetland tunes and is more in line with fiddle competitions on the mainland where competitors play more than one set of tunes.
“We are very grateful to Hjaltibonhoga who have donated a beautiful silver salver as a new trophy for the winner of the senior young fiddler section.”
The public event opens with the junior competition at 9am on the Friday morning, with intermediate competitors following in the afternoon and evening.
On the Saturday the seniors will take to the stage before the main Young Fiddler of the Year concert is held in the evening to showcase the winning performances in front of the judges.
The finale will also reveal the winner of the Shetland Folk Society tune competition, and the songs will be performed by judges Violet Tulloch, Debbie Scott and Bryan Gear.
It will feature other guests including last year’s Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year winner Jodie Smith.
Ticket are available for the Saturday night concert via the Shetland Arts box office.
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