Garrison Theatre, Lerwick, Saturday 23 April 2005

PARENTS, FRIENDS and music enthusiasts filed into Lerwick’s Garrison Theatre to hear what the future holds for the islands most renowned musical tradition. They were all there to eagerly watch the finals of the annual Shetland Folk Society Young Fiddler of the Year competition.

Eighty youngsters competed over two days for the coveted titles with only the best making it through to the final. The competition was judged by Angela Fraser from Unst, who currently plays with rock band ZE2; Steven Spence, formerly of Hom Bru, who released his first solo album last year; and Christopher Stout of Fiddlers’ Bid, who has enjoyed success recently with his own Chris Stout Band.

Their decision was a tough one, but they described Mary Rutherford as ‘virtually flawless’ and awarded her both major titles – Young Fiddler of the Year 2005 and Traditional Young Fiddler 2005.  She is also a budding composer, and took third place in the junior tune competition.

Judge Steven Spence said she stood out but the competition was strong” “She performed absolutely brilliantly both in the semi final and the final,” he said. “She was virtually flawless all the way through. She just had the edge over the other ones, but it wasn’t much of an edge and they were all very good.”

Christopher Stout agreed: “Each finalist brought something very different and something of their own style to the competition, some had technique, some had tone but the winner, I think she had everything.”

Joint runners-up in the Young Fiddler of the Year section were Alwyn Flaws from Quendale and Maggie Adamson from Fladdabister.

Jenny Leask from Strand won the junior title, with Danny Garrick from Greista taking second place.

The intermediate title went to Kaela Jamieson from Greista with Mary Haviland from Lerwick as runner-up.

Davie Gardner, the Music Development officer with Shetland Arts Trust, described the award as a springboard to success and held up 1991 winner Chris Stout as an example of previous winners who have gone on to achieve great things with their playing.

One thing is for sure; the future of Shetland fiddle music is safe in their hands.

© Joanne Jamieson, 2005