33rd Musselburgh Festival 2007
by James Coutts
B&F April 2007
As always, the first Saturday in March saw Musselburgh host the Association’s Annual Festival, where a great day was had by all who attended. This year’s Festival has special significance as it was the last to be held in The Brunton Halls complex before a major refurbishment takes place.
The weather was much kinder than last year, meaning people for all corners of the country had an easy journey to Musselburgh. Once again, entry levels were excellent, but with 5 halls in use, scheduling was less of a headache than previously.
Our adjudication panel once again commented on the high standard of musicianship across the various competitions. We were delighted to welcome Mabel Gray, Alan Kitchen, Roberto Enzo, Tom Lapsley and Graeme Reid as first time adjudicators at Musselburgh, and equally delighted to welcome back old friends Judi Nicolson, Jimmy Cassidy, Simon Howie and Bill Black. All had a very difficult task and I would like to thank them all for the professional and constructive manner in which the adjudications were carried out.
Once again, our loyal squad of clerks, announcers and stewards worked extremely hard to ensure the various halls ran close to schedule, meaning everyone was free to descend on the Main Hall for the Bands Competition in the afternoon.
Highlights from the Bands Competition and the Concert were broadcast by BBC Radio Scotland on the following two Saturdays and it was great to welcome the BBC Team back to Musselburgh under the producership of Jennifer Forrest, herself a past champion at Musselburgh and Committee stalwart for many years.
Due to the absence of John Caskie, through illness, the job of Concert Compere was left solely to Dave Millward. Dave did a magnificent job of keeping the concert running smoothly, despite a few backstage hiccups and, of course, we all wish his partner in crime, John Caskie, a very speedy recovery.
The Concert was brought to a climax by Ian Hutson’s Band who subsequently provided the music for the Grand Dance. In keeping with their broadcasts and recordings, Ian and the boys provided a fantastic selection of tunes and dances, thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd.
Of course the Festival doesn’t just happen without a huge amount of hard work and support. Therefore I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all competitors, adjudicators, parents, teachers, enthusiasts, stewards, traders, advertisers, donors, member Clubs and BBC Radio Scotland.
Extra special acknowledgements are due to Kirsty Bissett who made a significant financial contribution to the repair and restoration of the Angus Fitchet Trophy, to Sheilas Peterson who kindly donated music books published by her late husband, Iain, to competitors and enthusiasts, and lastly to the fantastic Festival Committee for their enthusiasm and support over the whole year.
As mentioned previously, The Brunton Halls are unable to host the 2008 Festival so we looked at various venues in the months leading up to this year’s Festival. Thanks are due to all who came up with suggestions. It was decided to reach a decision by the end of this year’s dance. Based on the feedback we received over the course of the day, the overwhelming choice was Dunblane Hydro. The venue has five halls under one roof with plentiful free parking, food, drink, accommodation and trade space on site. The Hydro is also synonymous with our kind of music, having hosted Association Dinners, AGMs and Take the Floor broadcasts, as well as having a close link with the late Jim MacLeod’s Band.
If anyone wishes to book accommodation in the Hydro, it’s well worth watching the papers towards the autumn, as they often have some excellent deals on over the winter and into early spring. There are, of course, many other hotel and eateries, B&B etc in Dunblane as well as nearly Bridge of Allan and Stirling.
So as we big farewell to Musselburgh for the time being, we look forward to a new chapter in the proud history of the Festival.
Saturday 1st March 2008 is the date, see you all at Dunblane.
Festival Results
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Emma Dickson (Dopphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Jake Laing (Windygates)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Gregor Allan (Tarves)
2) Duncan Muir (Thornhill)
3) Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3) Adele Queen (Thornhill)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland) & Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
2) Mhairi Mackinnon (Perth) & Hannah Fraser (Bankfoot)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
William Scott (Dumbarton)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Liam Stewart (Galston)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
3) Stewart Walker (Cawdor)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Robert Menzies (Thornhill)
3) John Weaks (Glasgow)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Tom Orr (Lanark)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme MacKay (Inverness)
2) John Weaks (Glasgow)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2) Scott Nichol (Pathhead)
3) Jim Gold (Douglas)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Liam Stewart (Galston)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
Scott Nichol (Pathhead)
Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Susan MAcFadyen (West Kilbride)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Nicol McLaren (Blairgowrie)
2) Stewart Walker (Cawdor)
3) William Scott (Dumbarton)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Duncan Muir (Thornhill)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
3) Erin McGinley (Thornhill)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee shield
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Andrew Mortimer (Dumbarton)
3)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
3) Erin McGinley (Thornhill)
Open Classical Solo – Clinkscale Shield
1) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
2) Alexander Young (Houston)
3) Antonia Costello (Paisley)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Kirsten McSporran & Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley) & Paula Kelly (Renfrew)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Alan Shute (Coatbridge)
2) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
3=) Karen Ferguson (Dunlop) & Jim Gold (Douglas)
Under 14 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Gemma Coupland (Loanhead)
3) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Sarah Alexander (Buckie)
2) Hannah Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Neil Tollan (Carluke)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Lorna Edward (Keith)
3=) Kerry & Emma Alexander (Buckie)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Emma Tollan (Carluke)
3) Mhairi Mackinnon (Perth)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
2) Kathryn Matthews (Auchterless)
3) Fiona Henderson (Kirriemuir)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
2) Aiden Broadbridge (Kirkfieldbank)
3)Jack Smedley (Cullen)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Aiden Broadbridge (Kirkfieldbank)
2) Gillian Ramsay (Airlie)
3) Kathryn Matthews (Auchterless)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Maggie Adamson (shetland)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Andy Kain Fiddle Group (Newmains)
2) Alan Gifford (Shetland)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Jake Laing (Windygates)
The weather was much kinder than last year, meaning people for all corners of the country had an easy journey to Musselburgh. Once again, entry levels were excellent, but with 5 halls in use, scheduling was less of a headache than previously.
Our adjudication panel once again commented on the high standard of musicianship across the various competitions. We were delighted to welcome Mabel Gray, Alan Kitchen, Roberto Enzo, Tom Lapsley and Graeme Reid as first time adjudicators at Musselburgh, and equally delighted to welcome back old friends Judi Nicolson, Jimmy Cassidy, Simon Howie and Bill Black. All had a very difficult task and I would like to thank them all for the professional and constructive manner in which the adjudications were carried out.
Once again, our loyal squad of clerks, announcers and stewards worked extremely hard to ensure the various halls ran close to schedule, meaning everyone was free to descend on the Main Hall for the Bands Competition in the afternoon.
Highlights from the Bands Competition and the Concert were broadcast by BBC Radio Scotland on the following two Saturdays and it was great to welcome the BBC Team back to Musselburgh under the producership of Jennifer Forrest, herself a past champion at Musselburgh and Committee stalwart for many years.
Due to the absence of John Caskie, through illness, the job of Concert Compere was left solely to Dave Millward. Dave did a magnificent job of keeping the concert running smoothly, despite a few backstage hiccups and, of course, we all wish his partner in crime, John Caskie, a very speedy recovery.
The Concert was brought to a climax by Ian Hutson’s Band who subsequently provided the music for the Grand Dance. In keeping with their broadcasts and recordings, Ian and the boys provided a fantastic selection of tunes and dances, thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd.
Of course the Festival doesn’t just happen without a huge amount of hard work and support. Therefore I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all competitors, adjudicators, parents, teachers, enthusiasts, stewards, traders, advertisers, donors, member Clubs and BBC Radio Scotland.
Extra special acknowledgements are due to Kirsty Bissett who made a significant financial contribution to the repair and restoration of the Angus Fitchet Trophy, to Sheilas Peterson who kindly donated music books published by her late husband, Iain, to competitors and enthusiasts, and lastly to the fantastic Festival Committee for their enthusiasm and support over the whole year.
As mentioned previously, The Brunton Halls are unable to host the 2008 Festival so we looked at various venues in the months leading up to this year’s Festival. Thanks are due to all who came up with suggestions. It was decided to reach a decision by the end of this year’s dance. Based on the feedback we received over the course of the day, the overwhelming choice was Dunblane Hydro. The venue has five halls under one roof with plentiful free parking, food, drink, accommodation and trade space on site. The Hydro is also synonymous with our kind of music, having hosted Association Dinners, AGMs and Take the Floor broadcasts, as well as having a close link with the late Jim MacLeod’s Band.
If anyone wishes to book accommodation in the Hydro, it’s well worth watching the papers towards the autumn, as they often have some excellent deals on over the winter and into early spring. There are, of course, many other hotel and eateries, B&B etc in Dunblane as well as nearly Bridge of Allan and Stirling.
So as we big farewell to Musselburgh for the time being, we look forward to a new chapter in the proud history of the Festival.
Saturday 1st March 2008 is the date, see you all at Dunblane.
Festival Results
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Emma Dickson (Dopphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Jake Laing (Windygates)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Gregor Allan (Tarves)
2) Duncan Muir (Thornhill)
3) Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3) Adele Queen (Thornhill)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland) & Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
2) Mhairi Mackinnon (Perth) & Hannah Fraser (Bankfoot)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
William Scott (Dumbarton)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Liam Stewart (Galston)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
3) Stewart Walker (Cawdor)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Robert Menzies (Thornhill)
3) John Weaks (Glasgow)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Tom Orr (Lanark)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme MacKay (Inverness)
2) John Weaks (Glasgow)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2) Scott Nichol (Pathhead)
3) Jim Gold (Douglas)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Liam Stewart (Galston)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
Scott Nichol (Pathhead)
Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Susan MAcFadyen (West Kilbride)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Nicol McLaren (Blairgowrie)
2) Stewart Walker (Cawdor)
3) William Scott (Dumbarton)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Duncan Muir (Thornhill)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
3) Erin McGinley (Thornhill)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee shield
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Andrew Mortimer (Dumbarton)
3)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
3) Erin McGinley (Thornhill)
Open Classical Solo – Clinkscale Shield
1) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
2) Alexander Young (Houston)
3) Antonia Costello (Paisley)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Kirsten McSporran & Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley) & Paula Kelly (Renfrew)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Alan Shute (Coatbridge)
2) Luke Crawford (Ladybank)
3=) Karen Ferguson (Dunlop) & Jim Gold (Douglas)
Under 14 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Gemma Coupland (Loanhead)
3) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Sarah Alexander (Buckie)
2) Hannah Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Neil Tollan (Carluke)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Lorna Edward (Keith)
3=) Kerry & Emma Alexander (Buckie)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Emma Tollan (Carluke)
3) Mhairi Mackinnon (Perth)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
2) Kathryn Matthews (Auchterless)
3) Fiona Henderson (Kirriemuir)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
2) Aiden Broadbridge (Kirkfieldbank)
3)Jack Smedley (Cullen)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Aiden Broadbridge (Kirkfieldbank)
2) Gillian Ramsay (Airlie)
3) Kathryn Matthews (Auchterless)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Raemond Jappy (Findochty)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Maggie Adamson (shetland)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Andy Kain Fiddle Group (Newmains)
2) Alan Gifford (Shetland)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Jake Laing (Windygates)