THE 43RD Lochaber Music Festival came to a conclusion last Thursday evening with a well-attended grand concert in Lochaber High School where selected performances from the previous days were given by participants, writes Ellie Forbes.
The festival encourages participation by all young people across Lochaber and reflects the range of activities undertaken by schools and other groups.
There were many highlights during the week, not least the junior and senior Young Musician of the Year competitions, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lochaber, and the Premier Instrumental and Vocal awards. The winners this year were, Ivan Davies (Junior Young Musician), Francesca Rose (Senior Young Musician), Rhona MacKintosh (Premier Instrumental Award), Finlay Cameron (Premier Scots Traditional Award) and Annabel Brayshaw (Premier Vocal Award).
The Burns Club of Lochaber also sponsors the festival and this year the trophy for Burns classes was won by Daniel Parfitt from Inverlochy, who entertained the concert audience with a lively rendering of Address to a Haggis.
The committee acknowledges with gratitude the support which has been given over the years by the Highland Council to ensure the continuity of this annual event. It would like to thank all those who came from near and far to take part in classes. Tribute is paid to teachers, parents and performers.
Work has already started on the 2018 festival, which will take place next March.
Due to space restrictions, full results can be found at www. lochabertimes.co.uk.
Lochaber Music School fiddle group – under 18.
Gaelic school choir for Lochaber Music Festival.
Finlay Cameron won five awards, including Premier Scots traditional award; Laura Robertson with her haul of trophies from this year’s festival.
Ailsa Jansen, Fiona Jansen and Megan Pescod with their awards.
This year’s winners from the Lochaber Music Festival 2017.
Musicians of the year – junior Ivan Davies and senior Franchesca Rose – with past president of Lochaber Rotary Terry Lee, who presented the award.
Amber MacDonald, Sine MacRae and Megan Campbell with their trophies.
Seamus Stevenson, age 9-10 solo Gaelic song; Ronnie MacIntosh, 1st in bagpipe solos novice; Graham Laidlaw, 2nd in bagpipe solos novice.
Andrew Orr, 3rd in bagpipe solos novice; Archie Campbell, 1st in chanter solos age 10 and under; Arran Stephen, joint 2nd in solo verse boys aged 9 and 10.
Cameron Stephen, 3rd, chanter solos age 12 and under; Gordon Stevenson, 2nd in chanter solos age 12 and under; Fraser Lindsay, 2nd in chanter solos age 10 and under.
Flora Stevenson, solo Scots song girls age 12-14; Fiona Austin with her award for strings solo juniors; Jack O’Neill, 1st in chanter solos age 13 and over.
Owen MacRaild, 3rd in chanter solos age 10 and under; Jac Currie, 1st in chanter solos age 12 and under; Shane O’Rua, joint 2nd in boys solo verse aged 9 and 10 from Gaelic school.
John Stewart-Stevenson, winner of violin solo Scots intermediate.
Ewan McGregor, 2nd in 1st-year piobaireachd.
Ben Fulford, 1st in bagpipe solos 2nd year piobaireachd.
Cerys Denholme, winner of violin solos Scots beginners.