16th Musselburgh Festival 1990
by Norrie Williams
B&F April 1990
MUSSELBURGH 1990
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Brian Aitchison (Galashiels)
3) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Alex Weir (Ayr)
3) Craig Skinner (Blackridge)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
3) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Kevin Swinton & Ross Lowthian (St Boswells)
2) Kenneth Johnstone (Crawfordjohn) & Scott Masterton (Symington)
3)
Youngest Competitors
Lorna MacAskill (Ormiston)
Brian Aitcheson (Galashiels)
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Fiona Gilfillan (Perth)
2) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
3) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
2) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
3) Robert Ross (Kincardine)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Open Buttonkey
1) Willie McGuire (Dysart)
2) Jimmy Blue (Forgandenny)
3) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
Trio
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Marie Fielding (Edinburgh)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Ian Thomson (Stirling)
Own Composition
1) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
2) Willie McGuire (Dysart)
3) Peter Joyce (Glasgow)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
3) Lorna Mitchell (Ormiston)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
2) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
3) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Open Classical Solo
1) James Grant (Eyemouth)
2) Bernadette Meechan (Wishaw)
3) Craig Drysdale (Kirkcaldy)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) no entries
2)
Open Classical Duet
1) Suzanne & Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Fiona Cuthbertson & Pauline Laverie (Dumfries)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Gillian Rise (Monifeith)
2) Paul Mitchell (Bo’ness)
3) Billy Nicoll (Kirriemuir)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
2) Gillian Rise (Monifeith)
3) Julie Dey (Wick)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
3) Marie Fielding (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
3) Carol Anderson (Bucksburn)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Bob Edward (Dundee)
Musselburgh 1990
by Norrie Williams
During the early morning trip to Musselburgh on Festival day, the feelings of yours truly and spouse tend to be – ‘Never again, this has got to be the last time’ – but when the car is headed west again along the City Bypass at 1 a.m. on the Sunday morning, things are seen in a different light. Why? – People, that’s why. The great camaraderie that exists in every corner of the Brunton Halls complex, the happy reunions and equally happy new introductions, folk with a common interest and enthusiasm from the length and breadth of the U.K. literally.
From Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland, that dedicated button-key competitor Neil Lowrie, from Brindister, 4 miles short of Lerwick in the Shetlands, Eileen Nicolson, organiser of the annual Music Festival there, paying her first visit to Musselburghand from the deep South, Somerset to be precise, John Chapman and Ivor Hyde, up to savour the Festival atmosphere, also for the first time.
John, from Wincanton, is a Barn Dance M.C. and caller and Ivor, who hails from Chard is a button key player, his instrument being a very exclusive 3-row Shand Morino with C/C tuning (Continental type) as opposed to the normal diatonic model. Apparently only one or two of these instruments exist.
It really is heartwarming when competitors and spectators travel such distances to support the event.
A number of years ago when seeking for information on the composer, Carl Volti, I got assistance from a certain Andy Bathgate, who had played clarinet with both the Tim Wright and George MacKintosh bands, which were based at Edinburgh’s Cavendish Ballroom.
On the occasion of my enquiries, Andy and I had only chatted over the phone, so it seemed a very special pleasure to meet him in person at this year’s Festival.
Now a sprightly 87, he told me how in his late teens he was a keen solo piping competitor, but in the immediate post-First World War period, he developed an interest in modern dance music and took up the clarinet. Pipe tunes can apparently adapt well to this particular instrument. I could have listened for hours, but there was only time for the briefest of tunes. Incidentally, Andy still has his pipes.
Another musical worthy at the Brunton Halls on March 3rd, was Dave Gibson of Newtongrange, who played piano accordion in the William Hannah Band for three years or so in the ‘40’s.
What a ‘kick’ one gets out of meeting such folk as these, with enthusiasm undiminished after 50, 60 or even more years on the Scottish music scene, and this despite the changes in format and style of some of our modern compositions.
This is what Musselburgh is all about, 9 to 90, with a common interest, all rubbing shoulders under one roof.
Veteran support was not confined to the spectator ranks alone. 74 year old Dundonian and erstwhile broadcasting bandleader, Bob Edward, fielded a fiddle group which won it’s class and N.A.A.F.C. Chairman Jimmy Blue, a mere stripling by comparison, but nevertheless, past the big SIX-0, with over 40 years playing experience and two Senior Scottish Champion titles to his name, competed in the Open Button Key section. Jimmy put up a most creditable and truly traditional performance to take second place, only one point behind that magician of the instrument, Billy McGuire.
At last year’s Festival, adjudicator Ivor Britton had suggested that efforts should be made to raise the standard within the Button Key class, and his words certainly bore fruit, as a glance at the first three placings will testify. Incidentally, the theatre had an audience of between 150 and 200 for this competition.
Ivor’s successor in the hotseat Fraser McGlynn, also no stranger to straight talking, made some interesting and very pertinent comments in his summing up of the Button Key, Pipe Music and Under 12 classes. He does not favour staccato playing, penalizing both button and piano key players for using this style and he stressed the importance of giving the notes their full value.
The adjudicators remarks after each class are not only invaluable to the competitors, but also of great interest to the audience, and help to explain placings which may differ from those decided by the dozens of ‘experts’ in the ‘body of the Kirk’.
With the progressive drop in entries over the last few years – a trend common to the majority of Festivals for whatever reason – Musselburgh is currently leveling out at around the very manageable 220-230 mark, which allows ample time for the adjudicators to express their views.
As already mentioned, opinions can differ radically on the marking, but a very pleasing aspect which was much in evidence this year was the very philosophical attitude of even the youngest competitors to the judges’ decisions, whether favourable or not. This is good – very good. Oh, that we could all adopt this attitude.
A drop in numbers in some classes this year, notably the Trio and Band sections was off-set by an increase or consolidation in others. The fiddle classes were all well supported with a good standard overall, likewise the Senior Scottish accordion, and the Open Classical Solo and Duet turnout showed a very encouraging rise in numbers – Cyril Pasby, the adjudicator, waxed positively lyrical about the standard.
Despite the smaller entries, the Trios, Fiddle Groups and Bands played to a full hall, coming away with some tremendous playing and ingenious arrangements.
One possible reason for the drop in these sections is the amount of preparation required and the difficulty of getting so many players free on the crucial date. Wit the group playing at its present standard, gone are the days when one could hope to get away with a scratch outfit.
The very popular All-Winners Concert, which was recorded by the ‘Take the Floor’ team under producer, Ken Mutch, was a high pressure affair with no less than sixteen items, one of these being the 5 player final for the Senior Scottish. This all had to be squashed into 2 hours, an almost impossible task, but no problem to that doyen of comperes, Alex Little of Dumfries.
Alex, whose contribution to Musselburgh from its early days has been a major one, made it all look ridiculously easy, coping so effectively with both the unaccustomed emergencies and the incompetence of his accomplice!
Highlights from the Concert went out on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ less than 48 hours after the event, thanks to a great effort by Ken Mutch and his team, who as always went about their business on Festival day without causing even the sensation of a ripple.
When the lights went up after the finale with the winning band, equally strenuous efforts by the working party under the tireless Joe Greer of Dunfermline, transformed the hall in jig time and the dance got under way. This was a lively affair, attended by 500 folk and with the competent Craig McCallum Band officiating, but the combination of a fairly high velocity with a rather sticky floor posed problems for some of the more mature dancers. ‘Slipperine’ is on next year’s shopping list.
Midnight came all too soon and another Musselburgh was in the bag and without feeling smug, we were happy with it.
But affairs like this don’t just happen, a lot of help is required and so willingly given, and I would like to record my warmest thanks to all those who assisted in whatever capacity or in whatever way. To all the adjudicators for a difficult job well done and to the following Radio Stations for their invaluable pre-Festival publicity and after-Festival coverage :-
Radio Clyde – Jim MacLeod
Radio West Sound – John Carmichael
Radio Forth – Robin Brock
Radio Moray – Andy Ross
Radio Highland – Rory MacLeod
Radio Tay – Ian Anderson
B.B.C.Radio Scotland – Art Sutter and Robbie shepherd
To members of the following organizations and Accordion and Fiddle Clubs for their uncomplaining and tireless support as marshals, accompanists, announcers, secretaries, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, etc :- Aberdeen, Airdrie, Balloch, Beith, Conon Bridge, Dundee, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Fintry, Forres, Glasgow, Lesmahagow, Lochgelly, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange, Peebles, Perth, Renfrew and Torthortwald. To all those individuals and Clubs who contributed raffle prizes. And on the subject of the raffle :- London Return for 2 – a special thank you to the company ‘Caledonian Express / Stagecoach’, who were happy to be associated with the Festival and who donated the raffle star prizes – two return coach tickets to London from any pick-up point on their U.K. network.
Thanks also to John McQueen of Dumfries for the donation of two medals for the youngest competitors (girl and boy) and to Mr Lamb, the caterer from Edinburgh for coping so effectively with the inner man (and woman), over a very long day.
We would also like to thank the caretaker of the local Congregational Church for preparing the hall premises for our use and to the staff of the Brunton Hall for the assistance and cooperation to, and during the Festival itself, and not forgetting all the competitors who came from far and near to support the event. Without them there wouldn’t have been one, it’s as simple as that. And finally, on an even more personal note, my thanks to N.A.A.F.C. Chairman, Jimmy Blue, and the members of the Executive Committee, who have given backing and support all along the line and to my own Festival Committee for all their hard work throughout the year, Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Anne Scott, Willie Wilson, and my secretary, my wife, Sheila.
See you next year.
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Brian Aitchison (Galashiels)
3) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Alex Weir (Ayr)
3) Craig Skinner (Blackridge)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
3) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Kevin Swinton & Ross Lowthian (St Boswells)
2) Kenneth Johnstone (Crawfordjohn) & Scott Masterton (Symington)
3)
Youngest Competitors
Lorna MacAskill (Ormiston)
Brian Aitcheson (Galashiels)
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Fiona Gilfillan (Perth)
2) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
3) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
2) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
3) Robert Ross (Kincardine)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Open Buttonkey
1) Willie McGuire (Dysart)
2) Jimmy Blue (Forgandenny)
3) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
Trio
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Marie Fielding (Edinburgh)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Ian Thomson (Stirling)
Own Composition
1) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
2) Willie McGuire (Dysart)
3) Peter Joyce (Glasgow)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
3) Lorna Mitchell (Ormiston)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
2) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
3) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Open Classical Solo
1) James Grant (Eyemouth)
2) Bernadette Meechan (Wishaw)
3) Craig Drysdale (Kirkcaldy)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) no entries
2)
Open Classical Duet
1) Suzanne & Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Fiona Cuthbertson & Pauline Laverie (Dumfries)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Gillian Rise (Monifeith)
2) Paul Mitchell (Bo’ness)
3) Billy Nicoll (Kirriemuir)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
2) Gillian Rise (Monifeith)
3) Julie Dey (Wick)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
3) Marie Fielding (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
3) Carol Anderson (Bucksburn)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Bob Edward (Dundee)
Musselburgh 1990
by Norrie Williams
During the early morning trip to Musselburgh on Festival day, the feelings of yours truly and spouse tend to be – ‘Never again, this has got to be the last time’ – but when the car is headed west again along the City Bypass at 1 a.m. on the Sunday morning, things are seen in a different light. Why? – People, that’s why. The great camaraderie that exists in every corner of the Brunton Halls complex, the happy reunions and equally happy new introductions, folk with a common interest and enthusiasm from the length and breadth of the U.K. literally.
From Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland, that dedicated button-key competitor Neil Lowrie, from Brindister, 4 miles short of Lerwick in the Shetlands, Eileen Nicolson, organiser of the annual Music Festival there, paying her first visit to Musselburghand from the deep South, Somerset to be precise, John Chapman and Ivor Hyde, up to savour the Festival atmosphere, also for the first time.
John, from Wincanton, is a Barn Dance M.C. and caller and Ivor, who hails from Chard is a button key player, his instrument being a very exclusive 3-row Shand Morino with C/C tuning (Continental type) as opposed to the normal diatonic model. Apparently only one or two of these instruments exist.
It really is heartwarming when competitors and spectators travel such distances to support the event.
A number of years ago when seeking for information on the composer, Carl Volti, I got assistance from a certain Andy Bathgate, who had played clarinet with both the Tim Wright and George MacKintosh bands, which were based at Edinburgh’s Cavendish Ballroom.
On the occasion of my enquiries, Andy and I had only chatted over the phone, so it seemed a very special pleasure to meet him in person at this year’s Festival.
Now a sprightly 87, he told me how in his late teens he was a keen solo piping competitor, but in the immediate post-First World War period, he developed an interest in modern dance music and took up the clarinet. Pipe tunes can apparently adapt well to this particular instrument. I could have listened for hours, but there was only time for the briefest of tunes. Incidentally, Andy still has his pipes.
Another musical worthy at the Brunton Halls on March 3rd, was Dave Gibson of Newtongrange, who played piano accordion in the William Hannah Band for three years or so in the ‘40’s.
What a ‘kick’ one gets out of meeting such folk as these, with enthusiasm undiminished after 50, 60 or even more years on the Scottish music scene, and this despite the changes in format and style of some of our modern compositions.
This is what Musselburgh is all about, 9 to 90, with a common interest, all rubbing shoulders under one roof.
Veteran support was not confined to the spectator ranks alone. 74 year old Dundonian and erstwhile broadcasting bandleader, Bob Edward, fielded a fiddle group which won it’s class and N.A.A.F.C. Chairman Jimmy Blue, a mere stripling by comparison, but nevertheless, past the big SIX-0, with over 40 years playing experience and two Senior Scottish Champion titles to his name, competed in the Open Button Key section. Jimmy put up a most creditable and truly traditional performance to take second place, only one point behind that magician of the instrument, Billy McGuire.
At last year’s Festival, adjudicator Ivor Britton had suggested that efforts should be made to raise the standard within the Button Key class, and his words certainly bore fruit, as a glance at the first three placings will testify. Incidentally, the theatre had an audience of between 150 and 200 for this competition.
Ivor’s successor in the hotseat Fraser McGlynn, also no stranger to straight talking, made some interesting and very pertinent comments in his summing up of the Button Key, Pipe Music and Under 12 classes. He does not favour staccato playing, penalizing both button and piano key players for using this style and he stressed the importance of giving the notes their full value.
The adjudicators remarks after each class are not only invaluable to the competitors, but also of great interest to the audience, and help to explain placings which may differ from those decided by the dozens of ‘experts’ in the ‘body of the Kirk’.
With the progressive drop in entries over the last few years – a trend common to the majority of Festivals for whatever reason – Musselburgh is currently leveling out at around the very manageable 220-230 mark, which allows ample time for the adjudicators to express their views.
As already mentioned, opinions can differ radically on the marking, but a very pleasing aspect which was much in evidence this year was the very philosophical attitude of even the youngest competitors to the judges’ decisions, whether favourable or not. This is good – very good. Oh, that we could all adopt this attitude.
A drop in numbers in some classes this year, notably the Trio and Band sections was off-set by an increase or consolidation in others. The fiddle classes were all well supported with a good standard overall, likewise the Senior Scottish accordion, and the Open Classical Solo and Duet turnout showed a very encouraging rise in numbers – Cyril Pasby, the adjudicator, waxed positively lyrical about the standard.
Despite the smaller entries, the Trios, Fiddle Groups and Bands played to a full hall, coming away with some tremendous playing and ingenious arrangements.
One possible reason for the drop in these sections is the amount of preparation required and the difficulty of getting so many players free on the crucial date. Wit the group playing at its present standard, gone are the days when one could hope to get away with a scratch outfit.
The very popular All-Winners Concert, which was recorded by the ‘Take the Floor’ team under producer, Ken Mutch, was a high pressure affair with no less than sixteen items, one of these being the 5 player final for the Senior Scottish. This all had to be squashed into 2 hours, an almost impossible task, but no problem to that doyen of comperes, Alex Little of Dumfries.
Alex, whose contribution to Musselburgh from its early days has been a major one, made it all look ridiculously easy, coping so effectively with both the unaccustomed emergencies and the incompetence of his accomplice!
Highlights from the Concert went out on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ less than 48 hours after the event, thanks to a great effort by Ken Mutch and his team, who as always went about their business on Festival day without causing even the sensation of a ripple.
When the lights went up after the finale with the winning band, equally strenuous efforts by the working party under the tireless Joe Greer of Dunfermline, transformed the hall in jig time and the dance got under way. This was a lively affair, attended by 500 folk and with the competent Craig McCallum Band officiating, but the combination of a fairly high velocity with a rather sticky floor posed problems for some of the more mature dancers. ‘Slipperine’ is on next year’s shopping list.
Midnight came all too soon and another Musselburgh was in the bag and without feeling smug, we were happy with it.
But affairs like this don’t just happen, a lot of help is required and so willingly given, and I would like to record my warmest thanks to all those who assisted in whatever capacity or in whatever way. To all the adjudicators for a difficult job well done and to the following Radio Stations for their invaluable pre-Festival publicity and after-Festival coverage :-
Radio Clyde – Jim MacLeod
Radio West Sound – John Carmichael
Radio Forth – Robin Brock
Radio Moray – Andy Ross
Radio Highland – Rory MacLeod
Radio Tay – Ian Anderson
B.B.C.Radio Scotland – Art Sutter and Robbie shepherd
To members of the following organizations and Accordion and Fiddle Clubs for their uncomplaining and tireless support as marshals, accompanists, announcers, secretaries, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, etc :- Aberdeen, Airdrie, Balloch, Beith, Conon Bridge, Dundee, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Fintry, Forres, Glasgow, Lesmahagow, Lochgelly, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange, Peebles, Perth, Renfrew and Torthortwald. To all those individuals and Clubs who contributed raffle prizes. And on the subject of the raffle :- London Return for 2 – a special thank you to the company ‘Caledonian Express / Stagecoach’, who were happy to be associated with the Festival and who donated the raffle star prizes – two return coach tickets to London from any pick-up point on their U.K. network.
Thanks also to John McQueen of Dumfries for the donation of two medals for the youngest competitors (girl and boy) and to Mr Lamb, the caterer from Edinburgh for coping so effectively with the inner man (and woman), over a very long day.
We would also like to thank the caretaker of the local Congregational Church for preparing the hall premises for our use and to the staff of the Brunton Hall for the assistance and cooperation to, and during the Festival itself, and not forgetting all the competitors who came from far and near to support the event. Without them there wouldn’t have been one, it’s as simple as that. And finally, on an even more personal note, my thanks to N.A.A.F.C. Chairman, Jimmy Blue, and the members of the Executive Committee, who have given backing and support all along the line and to my own Festival Committee for all their hard work throughout the year, Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Anne Scott, Willie Wilson, and my secretary, my wife, Sheila.
See you next year.