24th Musselburgh Festival 1998
by Neil Copland
B&F April 1998
Musselburgh Festival 1998
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Brian MacDonald (Ayr)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Scott Stevenson (Kirkcaldy)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Fraser Burke (Dundee)
2) Scott Stevenson (Kirkcaldy)
3) Liam Stewart (Galston)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Graeme & Donna Davidson (Banchory)
2) Fiona & Kirsty Johnson (Currie)
3) Patsy Reid (Knapp) & Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) John Burns (Falkirk)
2) Janette Morrison (Forres)
3) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Shirley Campbell (Glasgow)
2) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
3) Wendy Godfrey (Perth)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
John Burns (Falkirk)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme MacKay (Inverness)
2) John Weaks (Glasgow)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Balgray Trio (Dundee)
2) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
3) Lawside Trio (Dundee)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Dana Quinn (Ruthwell)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Dana Quinn (Ruthwell)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) George Burns (Kilsyth)
2) Ian Crichton (Isle of Lewis)
3) Pauline Page (Tillicoultry)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Lorna Allison (Carluke)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Kirsty Findlater (Hamilton)
2) Caitlin O’Donnell (Peebles)
3) John Leiper (Strathaven)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee shield
1) Neal Galbrailth (Paisley)
2) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
3) Robert Allison (Carluke)
Open Classical Solo – Clinkscale Shield
1) Paul Chamberlain (Bowden)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston)
3) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Craig & Brian MacDonald (Ayr)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark) & Kirsty Johnson (Currie)
3) Lorna Allison (Carluke) & Jonathan Brown (Wishaw)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn) & Robert Allison (Carluke)
2) Julie Hamilton (Carstairs) & Blair Gardiner (Carnwath)
3) Alastair Dunnet (Tranent) & Alison Carswell (Biggar)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Julie Hamilton (Carstairs) & Blair Gardiner (Carnwath)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston) & Paul Chamberlain (Bowden)
3) Richard Smith (Coalburn) & Robert Allison (Carluke)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
2) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
3) John Leiper (Strathaven)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston)
3) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Erin Smith (Aberdeen)
2) Donna Davidson (Banchory)
3) John Thow (Dundee)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2) Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
3) Graeme Davidson (Dundee)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2) Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
3) Graeme Davidson (Dundee)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Stuart Robertson (Alford)
2) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
2) Stuart Robertson (Alford)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2=) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
2=) Mhairi Skinner (West Lothian)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
= Elizabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
= Stuart Robertson (Alford)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
St John’s Stringers (Dundee)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Erin Smith (Aberdeen)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Jonathan Brown (Wishaw)
Musselburgh Festival 1998
by Neil Copland – Festival Chairman
Saturday, 7th March, 1998 saw the 24th Annual Musselburgh Festival take place in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, as has become tradition. A few changes from the regular arrangements were in evidence following continuing alterations and refurbishment to the Brunton Hall complex, but these didn’t detract too much from an enjoyable day (and evening) of all that is good within the accordion and fiddle scene at the moment.
Despite horrendous snowstorms and blizzards across Scotland on the Friday night, most competitors managed to reach Musselburgh although a few from the north were snowbound and had to call off, as did one of our fiddle judges. However, after all the weeks and months of preparation by the Organising Committee, the ‘big day’ was here and ‘the show had to go on’. Entries were slightly down from 1997 (190 from 210), but the quality of playing was most certainly just as good as last year – if not even better. As usual, this was the chance for musicians and enthusiasts to renew annual friendships and catch up on all the news and gossip. One notable absentee this year was Christine Hunter (a former Festival Secretary) who sadly passed away earlier in the year. The day was therefore tinged with sadness for all of us who knew and remember Christine as a very efficient Secretary in those early days of the Festival.
The usual band of Committee members and other very loyal and willing helpers were at the Brunton Hall just after 8 a.m. to ensure an enjoyable day for competitors and visitors alike. The adjudicator’s panel this year had no fewer than three highly respected musicians making their first appearance at Musselburgh in this capacity – they were Charlie Kirkpatrick, Maurice Duncan and Joan Blue. Joining them were our ‘old’ friends John Carmichael, Jimmy Lindsay, Bill Smith and Ian Muir. In addition, to replace our snowbound judge, Jane Davidson, who was attending with her own family, was hijacked into helping out, as was our very own Committee member Angie MacEachern. Without fail, the adjudicators commented on the very high standard of playing from all competitors – young and not so young!
As the day progressed towards the climax of the competitive part of the Festival later in the afternoon, the number of people attending the event during the day was clearly up on recent years. Without doubt, this helped contribute to the superb atmosphere in and around the upstairs concourse/ bar areas and Main Hall. This year, as last year, was again like Musselburgh Festival of old – lots of people enjoying good music and a friendly chat with friends and acquaintances.
After a slight delay, the Evening Concert (this year attended by more than 175 people) and jointly compered by Jennifer Forrest and John Caskie, got under way. The concert always gives members of the public the opportunity to hear most of the new Champions. This year’s concert included the finals of the Senior Accordion (Traditional) Solo and the Open Fiddle Championship Solo. In both cases, the adjudicators were again forced to work very hard thanks to the exceptionally high standard of playing by all the finalists. John Carmichael and his Band rounded off the concert in great style. Once again, BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ team were present to record the concert as a feature for future editions of the programme. Ken Mutch commented to me after the concert, that this year was the best Musselburgh Festival Concert he had ever recorded for the BBC. Musselburgh Festival really does appreciate the continued support of Ken and the BBC Scotland team.
After a short break during which the hall was cleared and made ready for the dance, John Carmichael and his band took the stage for a first class Festival dance – John must have been tired at the end of a long day. This year, around 250 people were at the dance and what a night it was – great music, a superb atmosphere and as I’ve already said to many people, a return to the style and the fun of Musselburgh Festivals gone by. At this point, I would like to thank the many clubs and individuals who donated raffle prizes. There were so many that we were able to run a small raffle during the day as well as having one of the biggest raffles at the dance for many years.
I cannot finish without publicly thanking everyone who made Musselburgh Festival 1998 a huge success. Competitors, Teachers, Parents, appointed adjudicators (+Jane Davidson, Angie MacEachern and Ian Thomson, who all stepped in at the last minute), Jennifer Forrest, John Caskie, Committee members, all of the many volunteer helpers, Robbie Shepherd, Ken Mutch and the BBC Radio Scotland crew, Brunton Hall Box Office and Caretaking staff, Catering and Bar staff and not forgetting the very hard working Festival Secretary, Margaret Macari. To all of you, a very, very big ‘Thank You’.
I hope that everyone who attended Musselburgh Festival in 1998 enjoyed his or her day as much as I enjoyed mine. Here’s to March 1999 (Silver Jubilee) Musselburgh Festival (the first Saturday in March). It is hoped to mark this milestone event with some very special measures – see you there!!
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Brian MacDonald (Ayr)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Scott Stevenson (Kirkcaldy)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Fraser Burke (Dundee)
2) Scott Stevenson (Kirkcaldy)
3) Liam Stewart (Galston)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Graeme & Donna Davidson (Banchory)
2) Fiona & Kirsty Johnson (Currie)
3) Patsy Reid (Knapp) & Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) John Burns (Falkirk)
2) Janette Morrison (Forres)
3) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Shirley Campbell (Glasgow)
2) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
3) Wendy Godfrey (Perth)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
John Burns (Falkirk)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme MacKay (Inverness)
2) John Weaks (Glasgow)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Balgray Trio (Dundee)
2) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
3) Lawside Trio (Dundee)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Dana Quinn (Ruthwell)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Dana Quinn (Ruthwell)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) George Burns (Kilsyth)
2) Ian Crichton (Isle of Lewis)
3) Pauline Page (Tillicoultry)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Lorna Allison (Carluke)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Kirsty Findlater (Hamilton)
2) Caitlin O’Donnell (Peebles)
3) John Leiper (Strathaven)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee shield
1) Neal Galbrailth (Paisley)
2) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
3) Robert Allison (Carluke)
Open Classical Solo – Clinkscale Shield
1) Paul Chamberlain (Bowden)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston)
3) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Craig & Brian MacDonald (Ayr)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark) & Kirsty Johnson (Currie)
3) Lorna Allison (Carluke) & Jonathan Brown (Wishaw)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn) & Robert Allison (Carluke)
2) Julie Hamilton (Carstairs) & Blair Gardiner (Carnwath)
3) Alastair Dunnet (Tranent) & Alison Carswell (Biggar)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Julie Hamilton (Carstairs) & Blair Gardiner (Carnwath)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston) & Paul Chamberlain (Bowden)
3) Richard Smith (Coalburn) & Robert Allison (Carluke)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
2) Elizabeth Stirrat (Paisley)
3) John Leiper (Strathaven)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Richard Smith (Coalburn)
2) David Nisbet (Earlston)
3) Ross Fleming (Blairgowrie)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Erin Smith (Aberdeen)
2) Donna Davidson (Banchory)
3) John Thow (Dundee)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2) Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
3) Graeme Davidson (Dundee)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2) Ingrid Hammond (Dundee)
3) Graeme Davidson (Dundee)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Stuart Robertson (Alford)
2) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
2) Stuart Robertson (Alford)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Patsy Reid (Knapp)
2=) Elisabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
2=) Mhairi Skinner (West Lothian)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
= Elizabeth McLay (Grangemouth)
= Stuart Robertson (Alford)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
St John’s Stringers (Dundee)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Erin Smith (Aberdeen)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Jonathan Brown (Wishaw)
Musselburgh Festival 1998
by Neil Copland – Festival Chairman
Saturday, 7th March, 1998 saw the 24th Annual Musselburgh Festival take place in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, as has become tradition. A few changes from the regular arrangements were in evidence following continuing alterations and refurbishment to the Brunton Hall complex, but these didn’t detract too much from an enjoyable day (and evening) of all that is good within the accordion and fiddle scene at the moment.
Despite horrendous snowstorms and blizzards across Scotland on the Friday night, most competitors managed to reach Musselburgh although a few from the north were snowbound and had to call off, as did one of our fiddle judges. However, after all the weeks and months of preparation by the Organising Committee, the ‘big day’ was here and ‘the show had to go on’. Entries were slightly down from 1997 (190 from 210), but the quality of playing was most certainly just as good as last year – if not even better. As usual, this was the chance for musicians and enthusiasts to renew annual friendships and catch up on all the news and gossip. One notable absentee this year was Christine Hunter (a former Festival Secretary) who sadly passed away earlier in the year. The day was therefore tinged with sadness for all of us who knew and remember Christine as a very efficient Secretary in those early days of the Festival.
The usual band of Committee members and other very loyal and willing helpers were at the Brunton Hall just after 8 a.m. to ensure an enjoyable day for competitors and visitors alike. The adjudicator’s panel this year had no fewer than three highly respected musicians making their first appearance at Musselburgh in this capacity – they were Charlie Kirkpatrick, Maurice Duncan and Joan Blue. Joining them were our ‘old’ friends John Carmichael, Jimmy Lindsay, Bill Smith and Ian Muir. In addition, to replace our snowbound judge, Jane Davidson, who was attending with her own family, was hijacked into helping out, as was our very own Committee member Angie MacEachern. Without fail, the adjudicators commented on the very high standard of playing from all competitors – young and not so young!
As the day progressed towards the climax of the competitive part of the Festival later in the afternoon, the number of people attending the event during the day was clearly up on recent years. Without doubt, this helped contribute to the superb atmosphere in and around the upstairs concourse/ bar areas and Main Hall. This year, as last year, was again like Musselburgh Festival of old – lots of people enjoying good music and a friendly chat with friends and acquaintances.
After a slight delay, the Evening Concert (this year attended by more than 175 people) and jointly compered by Jennifer Forrest and John Caskie, got under way. The concert always gives members of the public the opportunity to hear most of the new Champions. This year’s concert included the finals of the Senior Accordion (Traditional) Solo and the Open Fiddle Championship Solo. In both cases, the adjudicators were again forced to work very hard thanks to the exceptionally high standard of playing by all the finalists. John Carmichael and his Band rounded off the concert in great style. Once again, BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ team were present to record the concert as a feature for future editions of the programme. Ken Mutch commented to me after the concert, that this year was the best Musselburgh Festival Concert he had ever recorded for the BBC. Musselburgh Festival really does appreciate the continued support of Ken and the BBC Scotland team.
After a short break during which the hall was cleared and made ready for the dance, John Carmichael and his band took the stage for a first class Festival dance – John must have been tired at the end of a long day. This year, around 250 people were at the dance and what a night it was – great music, a superb atmosphere and as I’ve already said to many people, a return to the style and the fun of Musselburgh Festivals gone by. At this point, I would like to thank the many clubs and individuals who donated raffle prizes. There were so many that we were able to run a small raffle during the day as well as having one of the biggest raffles at the dance for many years.
I cannot finish without publicly thanking everyone who made Musselburgh Festival 1998 a huge success. Competitors, Teachers, Parents, appointed adjudicators (+Jane Davidson, Angie MacEachern and Ian Thomson, who all stepped in at the last minute), Jennifer Forrest, John Caskie, Committee members, all of the many volunteer helpers, Robbie Shepherd, Ken Mutch and the BBC Radio Scotland crew, Brunton Hall Box Office and Caretaking staff, Catering and Bar staff and not forgetting the very hard working Festival Secretary, Margaret Macari. To all of you, a very, very big ‘Thank You’.
I hope that everyone who attended Musselburgh Festival in 1998 enjoyed his or her day as much as I enjoyed mine. Here’s to March 1999 (Silver Jubilee) Musselburgh Festival (the first Saturday in March). It is hoped to mark this milestone event with some very special measures – see you there!!