Arts / Vidlin lass named Young Fiddler of the Year
AMI GRAINS has been crowned the Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year.
The 15-year-old, from Vidlin, took home the award in front of a packed Mareel auditorium on Saturday night.
As well as the Frank Jamieson memorial trophy, Grains picked up trophies in the open and traditional competitions, and was awarded the Martin Laurenson memorial trophy for best played slow air.
The organisers said competition was close between the six finalists on the night, with four in the running for the overall title.
Lexi Tulloch was awarded The Cat Gut and Ivory trophy for the best played reel in her traditional set, and 13-year-old Richie Stein was winner of the Young Fiddler intermediate.
Zara Nicolson won the traditional intermediate, and Catherine Garson was awarded the Lell Robertson memorial trophy for the best played waltz.
Junior young fiddler went to 11-year-old James Johnstone, while Mia Connell took home the junior traditional prize.
Mary Rutherford joined for her third year as a judge, and said: “It has been great tor eturn and witness so many fiddlers consistently improve their performance to such a high standard.
“Ami was third two years ago, second last year and deserves to win this year as the development in her performance has been immense.”
Fellow judge Laura Harrington added: “There is so much talent and I am particularly impressed with the level of performance in the Junior competition.
“Some definite future stars will emerge.”
Andrew Nicol won the junior Shetland Folk Society tune competition with his composition Da Sea Road Jig, and the Senior competition was won by Andy Kain with his slow air Laura.
Shetland Folk Society thanked the Shetland Musical Trust, Shetland Charitable Trust and Shetland Arts for financial support, and secretary Valerie Watt added – “The standard of music has been outstanding this weekend and it great to see so many developing not just their music but their stage presence and confidence too.”
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