Young Fiddler of the Year

Shetland teenage fiddlers

Shetland's Young Fiddler of the Year is an annual competition held over two days organised by the Shetland Folk Society.

It is open to fiddle players 16 or under from Shetland with around 80 entrants each year. The most entries ever received were 110 in 2014. There are two main categories, 'Open' encompassing all styles and 'Traditional' focussing on the traditional Shetland style. The categories have junior, intermediate and senior sections.

Previous winners

Previous winners of the main 'Open' section include:

• Yelena Anderson (2022)[1]
• Magnus Williamson (2021,aged 15)[2]
• Ashley Hay (2019, aged 13)[3]
• Emma Leask (2018, aged 14)[4]
• George Spence (2017)[5]
• Jodie Smith (2016, aged 13)
• Bryden Priest (2015, aged 15)
• Sophie Moar (2014, aged 16)
• Callum Watt (2013, aged 15)[6]
• Laura Smith (2012, aged 14)
• Hannah Adamson (2011, aged 13)[7]
• Liza Fullerton (2010, aged 15)
• Chapman Cheng (2009)[8]
• Maggie Adamson (2008, aged 16)[9]
• Miriam Brett (2007)[10]
• Ryan Couper (2006)
• Mary Rutherford (2005) Member of Kollifirbolli[11]
• Lyn Anderson (2004)
• Laura Lockyer (2003)
• Gemma Donald (2002)
• Lois Nicol (2001) Member of Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag
• Vaila Tait (2000)
• Mark Laurenson (1999, aged 14) Member of Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag
• Alexander Hutchison (1998)
• Bethany Reid (1997)
• Andrew Gifford (1996) Member of Fiddlers' Bid
• Jenna Reid (1995, aged 14) Solo performer and member of Filska and Dochas[12]
• Stuart Grains (1994) Member of Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag
• Magnus Johnson (1993)
• Bryan Gear (1992)
• Chris Stout (1991) Solo performer, composer, session musician and member of Fiddlers' Bid
• David Keith (1990)
• Jenny Napier (1989)
• Peter Gear (1988) Now with Bongshang
• Andrew Deyell (1987)
• Emma Johnson (1986) Previously with Rock, Salt & Nails and Shetland's Young Heritage)[13]
• Jeanna Johnson (1985) Previously with Shetland's Young Heritage
• Jacqueline Sinclair (1984)
• Catriona MacDonald (1983) Academic, solo performer and member of Blazin' Fiddles. Previously with Shetland's Young Heritage)[14]
• Margaret Robertson (1982)

References

Information gleaned from Shetland-Music website Shetland-Music

1. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0d7upaioquidCXtAG2HTYzY8AKQtYiNF3EKFMGs2vBNPNk35xV2o713f12cJ8K6Ppl&id=1404215426504733 ^[user-generated source]
2. "Young Fiddler of the Year". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
3. "Ashley Hay is Young Fiddler of the Year". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
4. "Musicians shine at Mareel in Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year concert". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
5. "Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year George takes a bow". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
6. "Callum Watt wins Young Fiddler of the Year competition". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
7. "Young Fiddler of the Year chosen on contest's 30th birthday". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
8. "Chapman Cheng impresses his way to Young Musician of the Year title". The Shetland Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
9. "Shetland Music - Young Fiddler of the Year Winners". Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
10. "Shetland Music - Young Fiddler of the Year 2007". Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
11. "Arts Journal". Hi-arts.co.uk.
12. http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1994/Solo_outing_for_talented_young_traditional_fiddler.html ^[dead link‍]
13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
14. "Fiddler Magazine - Fall 1997". Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2008.