Hands up for trad – get your votes in quickly
Music fans are being urged to vote for three initiatives from around Oban and Mull shortlisted for this year’s prestigious MC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
Taynuilt Ceilidhs, Mull Music Festival and music arranger Sileas Sinclair, who is from Connel and also conductor with Oban Gaelic Choir, are up for awards.
The winners from 17 categories will be revealed at Perth Concert Hall on December 1. The event will be broadcast live on BBC Alba, BBC Radio Scotland and globally on the internet.
Oban-raised singer Kim Carnie will be one of the presenters on the night. In the audience, hoping for an award, will be Moira and Sandy Dunlop who are part of Taynuilt Ceilidh’s organising committee.
The family-friendly ceildihs, now in their 88th year which feature musicians, dancers and singers from near and far, have been nominated for Community Project of the Year.
The tradition of Taynuilt Ceilidhs is kept going by a small band of volunteers and helpers including the village’s Gaelic choir.
Winter and summer monthly events in the village hall regularly attract from 30 to 60 people including tourists and TV presenter Clive Anderson.
Money raised helps support 15 music and cultural groups in the area including Oban High School Pipe Band and the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival. This year it has also been supporting Oban’s Dove hospice centre in Stevenson
Street.
Its next event is the Christmas Ceilidh on Saturday December 15 starting at 7pm with a special appearance from Bodach na Nollaig - the old man of Christmas.
‘We’re a wee home-made ceilidh with a long tradition. We’re honoured to be shortlisted in the awards,’ said Mrs Dunlop.
Donald Shaw and Karen Matheson of Capercaillie are just some of the young local musicians who have started on the Taynuilt stage.
Also shortlisted in the awards is Sileas Sinclair for Composer of the Year and Mull Music Festival for Event of the Year. Tiree band Skerryvote’s latest album EVO is also up for an award.
To make your vote count go to surveymoney.co.uk/r/ Scotstrad2018.
Voting closes on Friday November 23.
Stuart Fleming, PRS for Music Senior Manager, Scotland & Northern Ireland, said: ‘From the folk clubs bringing Scotland’s best live music acts to the stage, to the composers writing the music we all love to hear, it is great to see so much talent recognised by the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Congratulations to all of those nominated. These shortlists showcase the truly excellent culture of Scotland’s traditional music scene, which continues to go from strength to strength.’