Despite concerns that the 50th annual Lochaber Music Festival (LMF) might not go ahead due to lack of funds and the steeply-rising costs of running such an event, thanks to some generous sponsors LMF24 enjoyed a successful week.
Approximately 300 young people from Lochaber schools took part in 95 classes over six days.
On Thursday and Friday, March 14 and 15, Lochaber Schools Pipe Band sponsored piping and chanter classes, which were adjudicated by Mr Jim MacGregor from Nairn.
Vanessa Strachan, a professional adjudicator from Leeds, adjudicated all other music classes, free of charge, from the morning of Monday March 18, through to the evening event on Thursday March 21.
Vanessa’s brother, Ian Strachan, is a secretary of Lochaber Music Festival, and Vanessa, upon hearing of
the festival’s financial plight, volunteered her help enthusiastically. Judey Struth was the speech adjudicator at this year’s festival.
LMF chairperson Catherine Cameron stated: “We are so very grateful for the understanding way in which competitors were treated, when it has been daunting for them to either stand up and perform for the very first time to a large audience, or to get back into the way of it after pandemic interruption.”
On the Thursday evening, the final competitions were held at Nevis Centre, Fort William.
Lochaber Music School Junior Orchestra, led expertly by Beverley Place, set the night off at a sprightly pace.
Then, Lochaber Rotary’s Junior Young Musician of the Year competition featured last year’s winner, talented young fiddler Jethro Murray, and this year’s winner Aisling Flavin, who performed a “song (piano) sandwich”.
Senior Young Musician of the Year saw a strong competition between four talented Lochaber teenagers - Osian Bellshaw on trombone, Chloe Reynolds who played violin and sang, Jack Bungey on piano, and Elodie Place on clarsach and ‘cello - but it was last year’s runner-up, Jack Bungey, who won the award.
Standards remained high for the final classes of the year, the Premier Awards, and the Junior Vocal trophy was won outright by Ben MacGregor.
Torrin Groves on clarinet, Mia Deschenes on saxophone and Osian Bellshaw on trombone competed for the Instrumental Trophy, with Mia winning.
Finally, the Scots Traditional Award competition featured Eliza Moffat on fiddle, Alasdair Mackay on accordion and winner, Carys Jones on clarsach.
All of the above classes were ably accompanied by the wonderful Peter Rose, who accepted a reduced fee this year.
The presentation of trophies and awards (including two new trophies in memory of Mrs Pauline Robinson and Mrs Rosemary Robertson) was made by Robert Robertson, Rosemary’s son.
A raffle followed, and the festival finished fittingly with a bagpipe solo by Alasdair Mackay, who has enjoyed many successes at this year’s festival.
LMF chairperson Catherine Cameron intends to move forwards to a full, live music festival next year.
She said: “The future of our local festival, which brings so many youngsters together in a musical setting is very much more stable, thanks to the members, patrons and sponsors who have either given substantial monetary donations this year and Highland Council, who enabled us to come into schools, during school time.
“We are so very grateful for this support. We very much look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s festival.”
Maureen McSherry Memorial Cup
Alice Lynch
DISTINCTION
John MacDonald Memorial Trophy for Choirs - Primary Age
St. Bride’s Primary
COMMENDED
Lochaber Music School Junior Choir
COMMENDED
Jane Robinson Cup for Primary Choirs Folk Song (Age 12 & Under)
Lundavra Primary School Primary
COMMENDED
D.C.B. Maitland Memorial Quaich for Miscellaneous Vocal Groups
Ardnamurchan High School GM Folk Group
DISTINCTION
Lochaber Choral Union Cup for School Choirs
Lochaber Music School Senior Choir
MERIT
Joan MacKintosh Trophy for Solo Piano (Beginners\Elementary)
Victor Berardelli
COMMENDED
Margaret Cairns Rosebowl for Solo Piano (Secondary\Open)
Aisling Flavin
DISTINCTION
David C.B. Maitland Award for Piano (Sonata, Scots and Duets)
Harris Thompson
COMMENDED
Jethro Murray
COMMENDED
Rosemary Galer Trophy for Solo Violin or Viola (Primary)
Bella Man 210 87
DISTINCTION
Lochaber Music School Primary Trophy for Solo Cello\Double Bass (Primary)
Alistair Cant
MERIT
Lochaber Music School Secondary Trophy for Solo Violin\Viola (Secondary)
David Rodgers
COMMENDED
Jean Cameron Cup for Solo Cello (Secondary Age)
Bronte Man
COMMENDED
Russell String Duets Trophy for String Duets
Katie Pescod
COMMENDED
Megan Pescod
COMMENDED
Elizabeth Findlay Memorial Trophy for Scots Violin Solo (Age 17 & Under)
Eliza Moffat
DISTINCTION
The Thomson Trophy for String Ensembles\Orchestras
St. Bride’s Primary String Ensemble
COMMENDED
Moyra M. MacGregor Memorial Trophy for Woodwind Solo(Intermediate\Advanced)
Mia Deschenes
DISTINCTION
Millennium Woodwind Trophy for Woodwind Solo (Most Potential)
Jack Sprague
J.R.G. Bruce Trophy for Brass (Beginner\Elementary)
Naomi Roberts
COMMENDED
Pauline Robinson Trophy for Brass
Vemaroch
MERIT
John Whyte Trophy for Brass Solo (Intermediate\Advanced)
Osian Bellshaw
DISTINCTION
Silver Jubilee Trophy for Group Music Making
Inverlochy P7 Band Class
MERIT
Margaret Adam Memorial Silver Quaich for Group Music Making (Primary Age)
Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar Ceilidh Club
DISTINCTION
Mary MacPherson Memorial Trophy for Action Dramatised Song
Invergarry Primary School Primary
COMMENDED
Rosemary Robertson Trophy for Singing Games
St. Bride’s Primary
DISTINCTION
Lydia Jackson Trophy for Clarsach Solo
Carys Jones
OUTSTANDING
John Tague Memorial Trophy for Accordion
Alasdair Mackay 417 87
DISTINCTION
Lochaber Cup for Chanter (Age 10 & Under)
Emily Barker 450 90
OUTSTANDING
William MacLeod Trophy for Chanter Solo (11 & Over)
Isla Cant
DISTINCTION
David MacGregor Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Novice A - Slow Air)
Daniel MacIsaac
DISTINCTION
Kenny Nicholson Memorial Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Novice B - March)
Victoria Golebiowska
COMMENDED
David MacGregor Cup for Bagpipe Solo (Intermediate)
Sandy Halewood
COMMENDED
Archie Kennedy Memorial Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Age 15 & Under - March)
Alasdair Mackay
DISTINCTION
Alexander MacDonald Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Age 15 & Under - Strathspey & Reel)
Alasdair Mackay
COMMENDED
Evan MacRae Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Piobaireachd - 1st Year)
Fraser Lindsay
DISTINCTION
Lochaber Pipe Band Trophy for Bagpipe Solo (Jig - 18 & Under)
Calum Stewart
DISTINCTION
Alec MacDonald Memorial Trophy for Bagpipe Quartet (18 & Under)
Lochaber Schools Pipe Band Quartet
DISTINCTION
Val Howland - Cairney Trophy for Solo Verse (Age 8 & Under)
Lina Drew
COMMENDED
Solo Verse Speaking Trophy for Aged 9 & 10
Sarah Lawrie
MERIT
Caol Community Council Shield for Solo Verse Speaking (11 and over)
Lucy Bloom
COMMENDED
Marshall & Pearson Trophy for Choral Verse
Lundavra Primary School Primary
COMMENDED
Bible Awards for Bible Reading
Aine MacPhie
COMMENDED
Lochaber Burns Club Trophy for Burn’s Poetry
Aine MacPhie
COMMENDED
Lochaber Young Musician of the Year Junior Trophy
Aisling Flavin
Lochaber Young Musician of the Year Senior Trophy
Jack Bungey
Premier Scots Traditional Award
Carys Jones
Premier Junior Vocal Award
Ben McGregor
Premier Instrumental Award
Mia Deschenes 602
Mr & Mrs R Tatler Recorder Trophy for Recorder Solo
Erin Greenlees
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