67th All Scotland Accordion Festival 2016
by
B&F December 2016
The All-Scotland Shield is the most coveted Championship of its kind and I was delighted to win it at this year’s Perth Festival. I have not competed for some time and in fact I have moved more to the other side of the table as a adjudicator, so it wasn’t an easy decision to enter once again.
Competing solo should never be underestimated and I can assure it is one of the most exposed and daunting experiences a musician can put themselves through. It is intimidating for a youngster at the start of their musical career and only gets worse with age and experience. However, playing continuing to compete no matter their age and experiences make for a fascinating competition and only helps to inspire young competitors and give them the enthusiasm to put in the hours of practice it takes to learn our instrument. This was my driver to compete.
My only goal was not to make a mess and let anyone down. To qualify for the final in this year’s competition was as hard as it has been for many years due to the extremely high standard demonstrated by the number of previous finalists and winners in the section. I was delighted to be announced as a finalist, which kick-started my day catching up with great friends and competing in some of the other sections. I love the pipe section and it’s all about interpretation and style, then the bands were a blast of fun. In a blink of the eye the final was upon us, a quiet moment in the practice room to collect your thoughts then back on to that lonely stage to put yourself through 5 minutes of mind games. The bell rings, a deep breath, a march, a strathspey and a reel later then it was all out of your hands. At this point I was content I made it through the day playing music that I was proud of. I was happy that I played with a style true to myself and that I had done my bit for the Festival.
Only when the third place was announced I started to think about the competition again, then second, and then it was all or nothing. This was the part of the day that took me by surprise…..not that I won, but the emotion that hit me when it was announced. I didn’t know how much it actually meant to me until then. The cheers and support from the audience was overwhelming and will stay with me for a long time.
I am glad to have taken the risk and put myself back on to that stage and hopefully it has helped add something to the Festival. The icing on the cake is that I am now 1 of only 2 to have won the title three times over its 66 year history. As for a record breaking fourth time? – never say never.
All Scotland Senior Traditional Accordion Solo (Jimmy Shand Shield)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Matthew Scollay (Shetland)
Senior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Bill Black Challenge Cup)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Adin Graham (Leven)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band (Ronnie Cooper Memorial Trophy)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Adin Graham (Leven)
3) Country Bumpkins (Rowardennan)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band – Best Rhythm Section (John Gibson Memorial Trophy)
Tom Orr (Lanark)
Junior Scottish Country Dance Band (Alex MacArthur Memorial Quaich)
1)
2)
3)
Own Composition (Jimmy Blue Trophy)
1) Ian Anderson (Luncarty)
2) Allan W. Smith (Kirkfieldbank)
3) Susan MacFadyen (West Kildride)
Scottish Trio (Perth Accordion & Fiddle Club Challenge Cup)
1) Robert Black (Bo’ness)
2) Marie Fielding (Falkirk)
3) Adin Graham (Leven)
Open Button Key Traditional Accordion Solo (Duncan Campbell Memorial Trophy)
1)
2)
3)
Veterans’ Solo (40 and over) (Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich)
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2)
3)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Angus Accordion College Challenge Shield)
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Andrew Erskine (Biggar)
3) Duncan Ritchie (Aberdeen)
Junior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Under 16) (Charlie Cowie Memorial Cup)
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie (Bridge of Allan)
3) Ewan Dowie (Cupar)
Gaelic Medley (Accordion or Fiddle) (Iain MacPhail Trophy)
1) Clorstaidh Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
3) Elizabeth Anderson (USA)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 12) (Black Isle Shield)
1) Clelland shand (Dunfermline)
2) Abbie Christie (Banchory)
3) Bobby Leask (Shetland)
Senior Ladies Accordion Solo (Margaret Hendrie Silver Salver)
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
3) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
Junior Girls Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Jimmy Stephens Silver Salver)
1) India Islay Smith (Penicuik)
2)
3)
Scottish Ceilidh Band (Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
1)
2)
3)
FIDDLE CLASSES
Senior Fiddle Solo (16 and over) (Ian Powrie Cup)
1) Elizabeth Anderson (USA)
2) George Davidson (Ellon)
3) Mari Black (USA)
Senior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (16 and over) (Pibroch MacKenzie Memorial Quaich)
1) Mari Black (USA)
2) George Davidson (Ellon)
3) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 16) (Albie Tedham Trophy)
1) Rosie Winchester (Keith)
2) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
3) Rachel Havlin (Ellon)
Junior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (Under 16) (Shelagh Rankine Memorial Trophy)
1) Lachlan Murdo Kennedy (Glasgow)
2) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
3) Rosie Winchester (Keith)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 12) (Jim Ritchie Challenge Cup)
1) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
2) Jemma Christie (Banchory)
3) Sarah Reid Bendoris (Dumbarton)
Junior Fiddle Under 12
1)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Under 16
1)
2)
3)
CLASSICAL CLASSES
Open Continental Solo
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Ciorstaidh Chailbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3)
Open World Music Solo (Accordion World Cup)
1) Ryan Corbett (Milngavie)
2) Zacharia Ronan (Glasgow)
3) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
Under 12 Continental Solo
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
3) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
Under 16 Continental Solo
1) Ewan Dowie (Cupar)
2) India Isle Amith (Penicuik)
3)
Under 16 World Music Solo (Accordion World Cup)
1) Sofia Ros (Spain)
2) Archie MacKechnie (Bridge of Allan)
3) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Under 12 World Music Solo
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Kyle Anderson (Dumfries)
3) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
Competing solo should never be underestimated and I can assure it is one of the most exposed and daunting experiences a musician can put themselves through. It is intimidating for a youngster at the start of their musical career and only gets worse with age and experience. However, playing continuing to compete no matter their age and experiences make for a fascinating competition and only helps to inspire young competitors and give them the enthusiasm to put in the hours of practice it takes to learn our instrument. This was my driver to compete.
My only goal was not to make a mess and let anyone down. To qualify for the final in this year’s competition was as hard as it has been for many years due to the extremely high standard demonstrated by the number of previous finalists and winners in the section. I was delighted to be announced as a finalist, which kick-started my day catching up with great friends and competing in some of the other sections. I love the pipe section and it’s all about interpretation and style, then the bands were a blast of fun. In a blink of the eye the final was upon us, a quiet moment in the practice room to collect your thoughts then back on to that lonely stage to put yourself through 5 minutes of mind games. The bell rings, a deep breath, a march, a strathspey and a reel later then it was all out of your hands. At this point I was content I made it through the day playing music that I was proud of. I was happy that I played with a style true to myself and that I had done my bit for the Festival.
Only when the third place was announced I started to think about the competition again, then second, and then it was all or nothing. This was the part of the day that took me by surprise…..not that I won, but the emotion that hit me when it was announced. I didn’t know how much it actually meant to me until then. The cheers and support from the audience was overwhelming and will stay with me for a long time.
I am glad to have taken the risk and put myself back on to that stage and hopefully it has helped add something to the Festival. The icing on the cake is that I am now 1 of only 2 to have won the title three times over its 66 year history. As for a record breaking fourth time? – never say never.
All Scotland Senior Traditional Accordion Solo (Jimmy Shand Shield)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Matthew Scollay (Shetland)
Senior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Bill Black Challenge Cup)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Adin Graham (Leven)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band (Ronnie Cooper Memorial Trophy)
1) Tom Orr (Lanark)
2) Adin Graham (Leven)
3) Country Bumpkins (Rowardennan)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band – Best Rhythm Section (John Gibson Memorial Trophy)
Tom Orr (Lanark)
Junior Scottish Country Dance Band (Alex MacArthur Memorial Quaich)
1)
2)
3)
Own Composition (Jimmy Blue Trophy)
1) Ian Anderson (Luncarty)
2) Allan W. Smith (Kirkfieldbank)
3) Susan MacFadyen (West Kildride)
Scottish Trio (Perth Accordion & Fiddle Club Challenge Cup)
1) Robert Black (Bo’ness)
2) Marie Fielding (Falkirk)
3) Adin Graham (Leven)
Open Button Key Traditional Accordion Solo (Duncan Campbell Memorial Trophy)
1)
2)
3)
Veterans’ Solo (40 and over) (Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich)
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2)
3)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Angus Accordion College Challenge Shield)
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Andrew Erskine (Biggar)
3) Duncan Ritchie (Aberdeen)
Junior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Under 16) (Charlie Cowie Memorial Cup)
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie (Bridge of Allan)
3) Ewan Dowie (Cupar)
Gaelic Medley (Accordion or Fiddle) (Iain MacPhail Trophy)
1) Clorstaidh Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
3) Elizabeth Anderson (USA)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 12) (Black Isle Shield)
1) Clelland shand (Dunfermline)
2) Abbie Christie (Banchory)
3) Bobby Leask (Shetland)
Senior Ladies Accordion Solo (Margaret Hendrie Silver Salver)
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
3) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
Junior Girls Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Jimmy Stephens Silver Salver)
1) India Islay Smith (Penicuik)
2)
3)
Scottish Ceilidh Band (Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
1)
2)
3)
FIDDLE CLASSES
Senior Fiddle Solo (16 and over) (Ian Powrie Cup)
1) Elizabeth Anderson (USA)
2) George Davidson (Ellon)
3) Mari Black (USA)
Senior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (16 and over) (Pibroch MacKenzie Memorial Quaich)
1) Mari Black (USA)
2) George Davidson (Ellon)
3) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 16) (Albie Tedham Trophy)
1) Rosie Winchester (Keith)
2) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
3) Rachel Havlin (Ellon)
Junior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (Under 16) (Shelagh Rankine Memorial Trophy)
1) Lachlan Murdo Kennedy (Glasgow)
2) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
3) Rosie Winchester (Keith)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 12) (Jim Ritchie Challenge Cup)
1) Kirsty Grant (Dunbeath)
2) Jemma Christie (Banchory)
3) Sarah Reid Bendoris (Dumbarton)
Junior Fiddle Under 12
1)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Under 16
1)
2)
3)
CLASSICAL CLASSES
Open Continental Solo
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Ciorstaidh Chailbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3)
Open World Music Solo (Accordion World Cup)
1) Ryan Corbett (Milngavie)
2) Zacharia Ronan (Glasgow)
3) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
Under 12 Continental Solo
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
3) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
Under 16 Continental Solo
1) Ewan Dowie (Cupar)
2) India Isle Amith (Penicuik)
3)
Under 16 World Music Solo (Accordion World Cup)
1) Sofia Ros (Spain)
2) Archie MacKechnie (Bridge of Allan)
3) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Under 12 World Music Solo
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Kyle Anderson (Dumfries)
3) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)