1997
Musicians of Shetland
In a departure from the norm the Association decided to honour all of the Shetland musicians collectively for their tremendous contribution to Scottish Dance Music and also in recognition of the outstanding work done to encourage and promote young musicians on the Islands. Dr Tom Anderson (1910 - 1991) (pictured left) is generally accepted as having begun the revival of fiddle playing in Shetland after WW2. He campaigned to have fiddle taught in Shetland schools – and became the first fiddle tutor when his campaign finally succeeded. In 1980 he formed “Shetland's Young Heritage” from among his young pupils, and took a summer school in traditional Shetland fiddling at Stirling University for over a decade. He was awarded his MBE, and an honorary doctorate from Stirling University, for his outstanding services to traditional music in Scotland. 20 years or so after his death, several fiddle tutors in schools around Shetland continue the work he began.
Musicians of Shetland
In a departure from the norm the Association decided to honour all of the Shetland musicians collectively for their tremendous contribution to Scottish Dance Music and also in recognition of the outstanding work done to encourage and promote young musicians on the Islands. Dr Tom Anderson (1910 - 1991) (pictured left) is generally accepted as having begun the revival of fiddle playing in Shetland after WW2. He campaigned to have fiddle taught in Shetland schools – and became the first fiddle tutor when his campaign finally succeeded. In 1980 he formed “Shetland's Young Heritage” from among his young pupils, and took a summer school in traditional Shetland fiddling at Stirling University for over a decade. He was awarded his MBE, and an honorary doctorate from Stirling University, for his outstanding services to traditional music in Scotland. 20 years or so after his death, several fiddle tutors in schools around Shetland continue the work he began.