Local Musician in National Trad semi-finals

[Mary G]

Great news for one of the many local young musicians, Lorne MacDougall from Carradale: He has reached the semi-final of the BBC Young Traditional Musician 2008 Award. I saw Lorne performing at the Music Festival on Saturday, and he was in fine form. Here is the full news announcement:

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician semifinalists 2008

The 12 semi-finalists have been announced for this years BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2008 Award. As usual they show Scotland's musical talent the length and breadth of the country.

The glittering semi-final concert will be held on Saturday 6th October in Coulter Hall, Coulter, South Lanarkshire at 7.30pm (tickets £8 (conc £6). The concert will be opened by Aileen Campbell MSP.

From this concert 6 musicians will be selected to go through to the final in January at Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow on the 27th January 2008.

Many thanks to our sponsors who are Scottish Arts Council, Foot Stompin' Records, Celtic Connections festival, Musicians Union, British Council Scotland, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Traditional Music and Song Association , Watercolour Music and Clydesdale Folk Club. Please support them.

This Award exists to encourage young musicians to keep their tradition alive and to maximise their musical potential by the pursuit of a career in traditional music. The winner will be provided with high profile performance opportunities and the necessary tools and advice they require to launch a career in traditional music.

Semi-finalists:
Steven Blake (Pipes)
Gillian Fleetwood (Clarsach)
David Garner (Fiddle)
Adam Holmes (Guitar, song)
Amy Lord (Scots song)
Lorne MacDougall (Pipes, whistle)
James Duncan MacKenzie (Pipes, smallpipes)
Iain Angus MacLeod (Accordion)
Robert Menzies (Accordion, piano)
Ewan Robertson (Guitar, song)
Ailie Robertson (Clarsach)
Fraya Thomsen (Clarsach)

Ends.

http://www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/press/Young_Traditional_Musician_semifinalists_2008.htm

[Mary G]

Congratulations again to Lorne - making the semi-finals for two years in a row! Slightly edited press release - to make it shorter!

________________________________________________________________________________________

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2009 Semi-finalists announced
It's another exciting year for the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award. The 12 semi-finalists who will take part in this glittering concert are:

Carly Blain - Kelso (fiddle)
Katie Boyle - Glasgow (fiddle)
Heather Downie - Glasgow (harp, scots song)
Adam Holmes - Edinburgh (guitar, song)
Suzanne Houston - Nairn (piano, song)
Amy Lord - Dunblane (song)
Lorne MacDougall - Carradale (bagpipes)
Ruairidh Macmillan - Glasgow (fiddle)
Craig Muirhead - Stirling (bagpipes, piano, voice)
Kenneth Nicolson - Lochs (Isle of Lewis) (song)
Jack Smedley - Buckie (fiddle)
Daniel Thorpe - Glasgow (fiddle)

The concert on Saturday 4th October is in Coulter Hall, Coulter, South Lanarkshire at 7.30pm (tickets £8 (conc £6).

Simon Thoumire, the event organisor said

"From this concert 6 musicians will be selected to go through to the final in January at Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow on the 1st February 2009.

Many thanks to our sponsors who are Scottish Arts Council, Foot Stompin' Scottish music, Celtic Connections festival, Greentrax Recordings, Musicians Union, British Council Scotland, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Traditional Music and Song Association Watercolour Music and Clydesdale Folk Club. Please support them.

This Award exists to encourage young musicians to keep their tradition alive and to maximise their musical potential by the pursuit of a career in traditional music. The winner will be provided with high profile performance opportunities and the necessary tools and advice they require to launch a career in traditional music.

ENDs

Notes to the editor

Contact Simon Thoumire 07775 854572, info@handsupfortrad.co.uk
The concert is part of a weekend of workshops and sessions held at Wiston Lodge, Wiston, South Lanarkshire.

[carreran]

Now a finalist I believe!!!!!!!!!

[Mary G]

Delighted to hear that - Lorne is such a talented musician. I was aware that the names were going to be announced - formally - tomorrow. So this is a good to get a wee 'preview' of a name on the list.

Congratulations, Mr MacDougall

[EMDEE]

Good to see a local musician in the running for this award.

Kintyre always seems to be able to produce top class musicians!

[Govangirl]

How old is he?

[Mary G]

Early 20's ... I think. This competition is aimed at (as far as I know) those who have just left school/ are at college/ or just starting out. Not read the rules, but I think it is for under 30's.

You can check out youtube ... here is one to give you a flavour ... the image not great, but the sound is quite good for this format:

.

I remember around eight or nine years ago, when he was still in school, Lorne played with the David Urquhart Travel Pipe Band - a very good Grade 1 band that at the time had a few folk from the town in it. They played at the Southend Highland Games, and on a lovely summer's evening, marching from Keil Point up to the Games field. Then at the ceilidh dance afterwards in the village hall the band (or a part of it) played a few tunes and just about blew the roof off - it was terrific. And Lorne did a stunning wee solo spot within their performance. It was a great thing to experience, and a wonderful memory of a great Games night.

And he is just one of very many great pipers from Kintyre too

[carreran]

I see Lorne is playing pipes on new Children in Need single with Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham. Hampden crowd also being recorded today.

http://wehaveadream2010.blogspot.com/