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Strathfest judges hail a ‘great festival’


By Tom Ramage

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The final day of competition at Strathfest 2019 last week rounded off a spectacular week of music, song and dance, with all categories providing a showcase of musical talent and ability of young people throughout the area.

Competitors journeyed from Laggan, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Kincraig, Carrbridge, Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten, Aviemore and Grantown to display their musical gifts before judges Norman Bolton, Lorraine Hemmings, Fiona Dalgety, and Calum Alex MacMillan.

Among those enjoying the thrill of it all were the children of Gergask Primary School. Head teacher Lisa Ross told the Strathy: “They were all delighted to be taking part again. The children entered the choral verse speaking class and two of our girls entered the solo verse speaking class.

“We’re proud to say the children earned distinctions all round and Sienna Wilson won the Reid Cup for solo verse speaking!”

A stunning array of 24 trophies were presented during the week and every entrant received a certificate and feedback from the adjudicators.

Adjudicator Norman Bolton reiterated how much he enjoyed his days at Strathfest and thanked the committee for their efforts to make the event happen.

Fellow adjudicator Calum Alex Macmillan said: “It was a real privilege for me to be asked back to adjudicate the Gaelic day competitions for this year’s Strathfest. The competitors were of a really high standard with some really fine solo performances of Gaelic song and poetry.

“The group performances were thoroughly enjoyable with two fantastic action songs and the waulking song group, who were a particular highlight.

“I would like to congratulate all the competitors and also give thanks to those who support and teach them.

“A most enjoyable afternoon and it was lovely to see such a great turnout to support the competitors”.

With, overall, more than 260 entries in 49 different classes, the festival was well supported by parents, friends and the local community.

The instrumental day last Wednesday saw Inverallan Church packed out, with concerns by Minister Gordon Strang whether they would all fit in!

It was a wonderful testimony to the enthusiasm for music in the strath.

Mary-Ann Connolly, festival chairperson, said: “It was a privilege to enjoy such a variety of musical skills from primary choirs, to individual players, singers and verse speakers both in classical and traditional categories.

“My thanks go to tutors, teachers and parents who understand and value the importance of the arts. I would also like to thank the volunteers and committee who made this happen.”

Dates for next year’s festival will be announced on the Strathfest website later this month. Some of the talented performers were to be showcased at an Aviemore Primary School concert last night.

- The Strathy will have more photos and results next week including the end-of-festival concert.

Gaelic Day results:

Solo Verse Speaking Primary 1 & 2: 1 Fiona McGill, 2 Lucy Stewart, 3 Hannah Lavin

Solo Verse Speaking Primary 3 & 4: 1 Grace Mackintosh, 2 Seoras Mckerron, 3 Florence Benbow

Traditional Vocal Solo Primary 3 & 4: 1 Florence Benbow, 2 Isla Powell, 3 Seoras Mckerron

Traditional Vocal Solo Primary 5-7: 1 Euan Easto, 2 Rosie Ettle, 3 Annaleigh Brannan

Action Song (Nursery):1 Newtonmore Gaelic Nursery

Action Song (Primary):1 Newtonmore P1-3G

Waulking Group (Primary): 1 Newtonmore P1-3G

Instrumental Day results:

Pre-grade1 Strings: 1 Anna Stirling, 2= Sofia Botos, Elijah Versteeg

Grade 1&2 Strings:1 Maili Mcleod, 2 Annabelle Schultz

Grade 3&4 Strings:1 Harriet McAuly-Brand, 2= Ffion Townsend, Cara Holman

Grade 7&8 Strings:1 Ellen Ogden

Brass Beginners: 1= Amelia Sancho Mentel, Jenna McRae

Brass Grade 1 Upwards (Primary):1 Finn Benbow

Brass Grade 1 Upwards (Secondary): 1 Emily Strang, 2 Gemma Ballam

Group Music Making (Primary): 1 Grantown Primary Sound Start Plus

Group Music Making (Secondary):1Grantown Brass Quartet

Piano Day & Open:

Pre Grade 1:1 Euan Easto, 2 Fiona McGill Grade 1&2: 1 Elijah Verstee (Festival Cup), 2= Eddie Smith, Rebekah Bissett

Grade 3&4:1 Cailean McKerron, 2= Emily Garrow, Archie Laing, Lucy Edmondson

Grade 5&6:1 Amber Beange, 2 Iain Lynch

Grade 7&8:1 Finlay Bremner - Winner of the Jean Murray Trophy

Open Category (Primary): 1 Abernethy Girls

Open Category (Secondary): 1 Feis Spe Ceilidh Band 2

Choir/Solo/Verse & Drama:

Action Song (Primary):1 Aviemore P3/4

Dramatised Song (Primary):1 Grantown P3

Choir (Primary) 1&2: 1 Grantown P2

Choir (Primary) 5-7: 1 Grantown P5 Pupils

Choir (Primary Open):1 Aviemore Primary

Choral Verse P1&2: 1 Grantown P1 Choral Verse 1or2 Teacher School:1 Gergask Primary

Solo Verse Speaking (Primary) 3&4:1 Sienna Wilson

Solo Verse Speaking P5-7:1 Finn Benbow, 2 Millie Lavin

Vocal Solo Girls 10 and Under:1 Danika Armitt, 2 Sally Irvine

Girls 11 & 12 years:1 Zoe Atkinson, 2= Morag Strang, Rebecca Dargie

Boys 11 & 12 years:1 Eoin Jones

Secondary Girls 13-16 years:1 Gemma Ballam

- Festival results will also be posted at www.strathfest.com


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