Congratulations to the 12 semi-finalists in the 2024 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. They are:
Blythe Shand, 17, Piano & Accordion, Dunfermline
Calum McIlroy, 26, Guitar, Mandolin & Voice, Aberdeenshire
Ella Munro, 26, Voice, Skye and Glasgow
Evie Waddell, 25, Voice, step dance percussion, Stirling
George Spence, 20, Fiddle, Unst, Shetland
John Dew, 25, Bagpipes, Perthshire
Juliette Lemoine, 26, Cello, Glasgow
Matt Tighe, 27, Fiddle, London
Robert John MacInnes, 24, Voice, Ross-shire
Ruairidh Iain Gray, 21, Voice, South Uist
Saffron Hanvidge, 27, Voice, Invernessshire
Scott Figgins, 27, Highland Bagpipes, Irvine
The semi-finals will be held on 15th October in the BBC Pacific Quay and each of the semi-finalists will perform for 10 minutes. 6 musicians will go through to the finals at Celtic Connections festival on 4th February 2024. Each of the semi-finalists will get the opportunity to perform with guitarist Jenn Butterworth and piano player Jenn Austin.
The BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award were started in 2000 and the most recent winner is Shetland piano player Amy Laurenson. Find out more about BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award at www.bbc.co.uk/youngtrad.
Read about the semi-finalists below.
Blythe Shand, 17, Piano & Accordion, Dunfermline
I have been steeped in music from as far back as I can remember and traditional music remains a firm feature within my household to this day. Music became a major part of my life when I began piano lessons at the age of eight and two years later started on accordion under the guidance of Keith Dickson where I have studied a variety of different genres. I have performed at competitions nationally and went on to collect a variety of prizes on both piano and accordion. Along with my two brothers we formed a band called ‘The Shands’ where I feature on keyboard and our following is gathering at great pace, being kept busy performing at a variety of gigs throughout the UK. A few highlights to date include being invited as Guest Artists to the Shetland Fiddle and Accordion Festival last October and being invited to play for King Charles and Queen Camilla when they visited Dunfermline last year. My current musical influences range from jazz accordionist Ludovic Beier to musicians Andrew Waite and Hamish Napier. At 17 years of age, I love performing on both piano and accordion and am excited to see what the future holds for both ‘The Shands’ and my own solo musical journey.
Calum McIlroy, 26, Guitar, Mandolin & Voice, Aberdeenshire
The thing I like most about traditional music is the social bonds you are able to form almost immediately with other musicians, and I don’t think that can be found in other types of music. I have been very fortunate over the last few years to have the opportunity to play with a wide variety of musicians. I first learned about traditional music in my school ceilidh band in Aberdeenshire, and after I left school, I went on to play with the North East Folk Collective and took part in the Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail in 2016/2017. After finishing my diploma in music in Aberdeen, I moved to Glasgow to study on the BMus Traditional Music Course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. There, I was tutored in guitar by Kevin MacKenzie, Jenn Butterworth, Innes Watson, and Ali Hutton; and in Scots song by Rod Paterson and Fiona Hunter. Since graduating, I have been very busy tutoring through various organisations, such as Fèisean nan Gàidheal and Falkirk Traditional Music Project. I have continued to play with my own trio with Megan MacDonald (accordion) and Ruairidh Gollan (fiddle), and with many other artists and bands, including: Chloë Bryce; Mike Vass (w/ Tom Callister, Mairearad Green and Conal McDonagh); Ailie Robertson; Gráinne Brady; Anna Massie Ian Carr, and Tim Edey; TRYST; and Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton. I am at a stage in my career where I would like to make more time for my own music, and I would like to perform more as a soloist or in my own outfit(s).
Ella Munro, 26, Voice, Skye and Glasgow
I am a folk singer from the Isle of Skye but have been living in Glasgow for a number of years now. I have loved traditional music since I was in early primary where I learned clarsach and fiddle, which was a door into the lovely world of traditional music. I then began singing towards the end of primary school and was lucky enough to gain a place at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music. Here, I was taught by Mick West. Since arriving in Glasgow, I have experienced the true breadth of traditional and folk music and was taught by Fiona Hunter whilst at the Conservatoire. In 2017, I was fortunate enough to participate in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year finals. I have also been very fortunate to perform and attend many of Scotland’s greatest folk clubs, with a real highlight being the opportunity to support Archie Fisher at Stirling Folk Club in 2016. I am heavily influenced by the singers Dick Gaughan, Michael Marra, Archie Fisher, and Adam MacNaughton. I am also interested in finding songs in the traditional repertoire in which the female protagonist doesn’t have an unfortunate end, as this is regrettably very common. I have always loved singing but I am particularly drawn to folk and traditional music because of the rich storytelling within the songs. I have been lucky enough to have been taught by inspiring and willing teachers who have shared their repertoire and equipped me to find more songs and make them my own.
Evie Waddell, 25, Voice, step dance percussion, Stirling
I grew up in Stirling, had a Gaelic medium education and have always been surrounded by music and musical friendships. I have been so lucky that Jo Miller is a friend of the family, and my mentor/teacher from an early age, and part of her intergenerational Riverside Music Project. I graduated with a BMus in Traditional Music at the RCS in 2021. In 2020 I was cast in the production of ‘MAIM’ by Theatre Gu Leor featuring Whyte, with a focus on expressing myself through multimedia musical and corporeal ‘voices’: Gaelic song, British Sign Language, fiddle, clarsach and dance. Studying contemporary dance at The Space, Dundee has also greatly informed my development as a musician. Singers that have influenced me have been Ivor Culter, Kathleen MacInnes, Lisa O’Neill and Rhiannon Giddens. Notable composition projects include Celtic Connections ‘Rejuvenation’ in 2022 and ‘Bogaidh’ commissioned by the National Poetry Library. I was also Danny Kyle Open Stage finalist winner in 2023. This year my own show “Failte Gu BSL” has been touring. The show explores experiences of creative and political connection across isolation – as communities, as individuals and as diverse cultural Scots and and Gaels. It combines song, sign language, puirt a beul, step dance and percussion. My deaf music experience has driven my desire for different stories and sounds to be heard and for society to understand that music is an important experience for many in the D/deaf community, and fundamental to accessing a Scottish identity. I am excited to bring something fresh and visual to this competition.
George Spence, 20, Fiddle, Unst, Shetland
Hi, my name is George Spence and I am a traditional fiddle player from the island of Unst in Shetland, but currently living in Glasgow. I grew up surrounded by a very musical family so have been influenced by the tradition all my life. I began learning the fiddle at the age of 8, initially helped by my dad until I started lessons at the school. I was winner of the prestigious Shetland’s Young Fiddler Of The Year Competition in 2017, and also won the prize for the Junior Tune Competition for one of my compositions in the same year. Since then I have self-taught how to play guitar, piano, mandolin and banjo on the side. I moved to Glasgow at first to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, since then became a Fiddle Tutor in High Level Music in Lerwick until I moved back to Glasgow earlier this year. I have also taken part in many workshops with the likes of Adam Sutherland, Gordon Gunn and Bruce Molsky and am part of the notable fiddle group Hjaltibonhga where I performed with them at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2019. Some of my biggest musical influences would have to be Willie Hunter, Bryan Gear, Shane Cook, Aly Bain, Fergal Scahill and Mark O Connor. Some notable performances would have to be The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performing at the Shetland Folk Festival 2022 with Hamish Napier on piano, Young Musicians Concert in Mareel December 2022 with Fraser Jamieson. But the first performance of note for me personally would have to be performing at the Baltasound Regatta concert in Unst as a duo on fiddles with my dad when I was about 13 when we blew the roof off the place!
John Dew, 25, Bagpipes, Perthshire
My name is John Dew and I am from Perthshire. I learned bagpipes through instruction at school and then joined the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band in Pitlochry. I am interested in traditional music because I love the sound of the folk instruments, culture and language and it was through pipe bands that I discovered this wider genre of Scottish Music and Culture. The tunes and song all have a lovely modal feel as well as a certain liveliness which you can’t find anywhere else. I learned the bagpipes at school from various teachers including Anne Spalding, Cameron Drummond and Craig Muirhead. Musical experience includes various performances highland games, festivals such as Piping Live, Celtic Connections, Monterey Scottish Games and Festival in California and Celtic Colours in Canada as well as performing regularly with Inveraray and District Pipe Band. I have also performed for various members of Royalty and High Society. I am influenced by artists such as Dreamers’ Circus, Breabach, Imar, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, Daimh and Hamish Napier. Notable performances include ‘A Night in That Land’ by Inveraray and district pipe band, Phil Cunningham’s ‘Iona Suite’, Hamish Napier’s ‘The Railway’, ‘Rejuvenation’ commission from Celtic Connections 2022, ‘Ur: Future of Our Past’ band from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland performances at Celtic Colours and a series of other concerts and laterally launching my own debut album ‘Mackerel Sky’ in 2021. I currently live in Edinburgh where I teach bagpipes at George Watson’s College and completing my 9th season with Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
Juliette Lemoine, 26, Cello, Glasgow
I am a Scottish cellist currently based in Glasgow. I graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s BMus Traditional music BMus degree (1st Class Hons) in 2022, and since then have been working full-time as a freelance musician. Recent highlights include the sold-out headline launch of my debut album ‘Soaring’ at Celtic Connections; performing in the GRIT orchestra at Edinburgh Festival; being selected as ‘One To Watch’ in the Chamber Music Scotland 23/24 directory; and touring my album across Scotland over the past few months, including a sold-out show at Edinburgh Tradfest. I am deeply passionate about exploring and developing the cello’s role in contemporary traditional music. Historically its role was to accompany tune-players, and this largely remains the case today, albeit in a modern style. I strongly believe that the instrument also has great potential to take on a leading melodic role, driving the musical narrative in the way a fiddle typically would and retaining the same fluidity, bowing, ornaments and authenticity. ‘Soaring’ is my first venture into casting the cello in a primarily lead tune-playing role, and I plan to continue down this path! Some key musical inspirations include cellists Rushad Eggleston, Natalie Haas and Eric Wright, in addition to non-cellists Caoimín Ó Raghallaigh, Cormac Begley, Martin Hayes, and Jenna Moynihan. I’m so excited to take part in this year’s BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year–– it’s a fantastic opportunity to be creative and venture outside of my musical comfort zone, as well as to meet, work and play with some outstanding musicians. Not to mention, it’s a brilliant platform to showcase the cello in trad!
Matt Tighe, 27, Fiddle, London
I grew up on London’s traditional music scene and studied classical violin at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music. I was initially taught traditional music by Irish music luminaries Dermot Crehan and Brendan Mulkere and I’ve been mentored by the eminent Brian McNeill. I released a critically acclaimed album with the Greentrax label which won Fatea Magazine’s album of the year award in 2017 and was described as, ‘Stunning’, by Blues and Roots Radio. This has led to gigs at Celtic Connections, Broadstairs Folk Week, Wickham Folk Festival and Cambridge Folk Festival. I also work with Live Music Now Scotland and love using music to engage with people in an ASN setting (additional support needs). I big part of my fiddle playing is informed by the Alexander Technique which I’m currently training to teach. I moved up to Glasgow after lockdown and love the vibrant musical community here!
Robert John MacInnes, 24, Voice, Ross-shire
My heart is in the communities of the Highlands & Islands, and my heart is in traditional music. My keen interest in music and singing was noticed in nursery, along with my eagerness to join in with musical family members when visiting North Uist – the home island of my dad. I received singing tuition from Eilidh Mackenzie and Maggie MacDonald as a wee boy, before being accepted into the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton to study with voice tutors Wilma Kennedy and Rachel Walker. To date, I’m the only student to complete the full six years of high school education at the music school. After school, I successfully completed an HNC in Music through West Highland College UHI. I have been part of several Celtic Connections performances and Blas Festival concerts, along with singing in local village halls at ceilidhs and at events both online and in-person. I also produce and present my own radio programme ‘Friday Night Trad’ on Radio Skye. As my music journey has progressed, I’ve often struggled with the confidence to push myself out there. I’ve suffered with anxiety all my life, but traditional music has helped me to get over each barrier. Taking part in several music projects as a backing musician along the way has been fantastic experience too, but 2023 marks a new chapter for me and my determination to do what I love doing has reached new heights – being a singer and a traditional musician. I’m proud to be a Gaelic language learner too, and it’s an ongoing learning journey which music helps with. I’m at home in traditional music and I can see an exciting path forward for me.
Ruairidh Iain Gray, 21, Voice, South Uist
I have, all my life been submersed in the world of Gàidhlig music. Coming from a Gàidhlig speaking household on the Island of South Uist and learning English in later childhood, it seemed clear from a young age that music was to be my life’s work. I currently attend the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the tutelage of Miss Iseabail T. MacDonald of South Uist and Glasgow. During my life I have been immensely privileged to have learned from the greats such as the late Norman MacLean, Dr Kenna Campbell MBE, Rona Lightfoot and many others. I have also been fortunate enough to travel to various parts of the world to perform. Stages such as the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow would certainly be a highlight! However, my favourite remains St Peter’s Church Hall in Daliburgh, South Uist, the village in which I grew up. In 2022, I won both the Bònn Òr a’ Chomainn and the Bonn Òir an t-Sèann Nòis at the Royal National Mòd in Perth, becoming the second only person ever to have won the two medals in the same year. Later on that year I was voted the “MG ALBA Gaelic Singer of the Year” at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. I have many varied and unusual musical tastes and influences. From Bing Crosby, Rachmaninov, the late Archibald Grant and Norman MacLean. Rather an unusual mixture!
Saffron Hanvidge, 27, Voice, Invernessshire
As a native Gaelic speaker, I have found that our traditional songs give us a unique insight and connection to our history. Gaelic song has become increasingly popular in traditional music even amongst those who do not speak it, which I experience first-hand as a busker of fifteen years. My Gaelic connection is with the Isle of Lewis; songs about the place and people have influenced me while competing at the Royal National Mòd, where I have been awarded first in Puirt a beul four times. The talent and knowledge of my tutors on the Traditional Music Course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig have been invaluable to me, as well as the opportunities they’ve provided to work with other music students such as recording a CD- “Binneas Ostaig”- where I feature as a soloist accompanied by the 2019 music students. After competing in the final of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 I was able to meet and work with amazing musicians and given opportunities that I wouldn’t have had before. I recorded an episode of “Mo Chuairt Chiùil” for BBC Radio Scotland where I spoke about my musical influences, from the foot-tapping Puirt a beul of Julie Fowlis, to the beautiful harmonies of Sian, and the late great Gaelic singers like Iseabail MacAskill. Last year I performed at Eden Court’s Under Canvas, which led to being asked by Fèis Rois to work with their Lullaby Project in conjunction with Carnegie Hall. This year I have continued my work with young children with CALA and High Life Highland by providing them access to Gaelic song and stories in order to contribute to the ongoing efforts to preserve and cultivate Gaelic culture. In July I provided support for Graham Mackenzie at Croy Live for the launch of “The Dawning” tour.
Scott Figgins, 27, Highland Bagpipes, Irvine
I am a traditional musician from Irvine, in the south-west of Scotland. I learned the pipes through my local band from the age of nine, and now play and teach professionally. Musically, I was raised in a very ‘pipe band’ oriented style of playing which relies heavily on strong technique and playing at driving tempos. Whilst I now concentrate on other styles of playing; these skills laid the foundations of my own style of playing and influence my musical interpretation. After hearing the playing of Gordon Duncan and Ross Ainslie when young, my view of the bagpipes and their role in traditional music was completely transformed. Hearing the pipes played with other instruments and playing music from outwith the immediate repertoire was almost cathartic for me; and these players have had the strongest influences on me to date. The more I listened to music within the traditional music genre and further afield, I knew this was something I wanted to explore further and then went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Here I was able to look deeper into areas of the piping tradition; and also further my playing abilities and understanding on whistles and guitar. I now perform and teach professionally, which are two aspects of my career I highly value. When performing, I have my own band ‘Eriska’ who I have toured with and currently have two releases out; both of which feature many of my own compositions. Composing is something I spend a lot of time working on as I aim to write tunes both within the more ‘traditional’ piping genre; and also exploring more contemporary composition while still relating back to my piping routes. Teaching is also something I care deeply about and is something I currently do on the Isle of Arran. This is an aspect of work I find very rewarding and I understand the true importance of giving back to the art form to ensure its health for future generations.
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