Line-ups revealed for Armadale Castle trad music competitions
FINALISTS have been announced for two prestigious traditional music competitions to be held at Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum of the Isles, on Skye next month.
The Donald MacDonald Cuach piobaireachd competition, now in its 32nd year, will bring together five renowned pipers from across Scotland on June 15. The following day introduces a major new competition for senior clàrsach, where four leading harpists will compete for the Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize.
The performances will take place in the Stables Café at Armadale Castle and are open to the public. They will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
The competitions are a key part of Clan Donald Lands Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting Gaelic performing arts and are made possible through generous support from the Glencoe Foundation, USA.
Named in honour of the 18th-century piping pioneer, the Donald MacDonald Cuach is a flagship cultural competition for Clan Donald Lands Trust. The five pipers invited to take part this year are Callum Beaumont (last year’s winner), Glenn Brown, Alasdair Henderson, Iain Speirs and Craig Sutherland.
The event, which takes place on Friday June 15 at 7.30pm, will also include singing by Christine Primrose, head of Gaelic song at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college on Skye.
The competition will be opened by talented young local piper Malin Lewis from Bernisdale, north Skye, who is studying at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton. Malin will study piping at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in September. There will also be contributions from pupils from Bun-sgoil Shlèite (Sleat Primary School).
The competition will be adjudicated by acclaimed piper Allan MacDonald. Allan taught at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for 17 years and has recorded several CDs of pipe music.
Convener Dr Angus MacDonald said: ‘This year we have some of the top performers in the country and I look forward to a very entertaining evening.’
Saturday June 16 sees the inaugural Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Senior Clàrsach. Candidates were required to prepare a 25-minute recital, including a variety of Scottish styles, traditional and contemporary, and a new composition of their own.
Four finalists were selected to perform at the competition recital at 2pm: Màiri Chaimbeul, Fraya Thomsen, Karen Marshalsay and Riko Matsuoka.
The adjudicator is acclaimed Scottish-born harpist and composer Savourna Stevenson, who has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as Eddi Reader, the Bhundu Boys and Catrin Finch, and has written prolifically for clàrsach and pedal harp. The event will be convened by Professor Boyd Robertson, retiring Principle of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
Skye-based clàrsair and tutor Mary M Strachan, who chaired the shortlisting panel, said: ‘We were delighted with the interest in this new competition, and were blown away by the high technical standards and innovative playing of the chosen finalists. It should make for a very interesting afternoon of music.’
The prize is named after for Princess Margaret of Scotland, the daughter of King Robert II and the wife of John, Lord of the Isles. Princess Margaret was a great patron of the arts, and through this prize for senior clàrsach playing, CDLT seeks to perpetuate and honour that reputation.
Sue Geale, Armadale Castle’s Museum manager and member of the management committee, said: ‘The ancient Clan Donald Lords of the Isles were great patrons of the arts and saw it as their responsibility to encourage and develop Gaelic culture in all its forms. The trust is pleased to carry on this important responsibility. For many years we have supported both piping and clàrsach – the latter through the loan of instruments to schools and an annual junior competition. We are delighted to enhance this through the launch of this new senior clàrsach competition, and through a number of traditional music competitions that we also support worldwide.’
Friday June 15, Stables Cafe, Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum, Skye: Donald MacDonald Cuach Piobaireachd Competition, 7.30pm. Tickets £8 (£4 concession), including buffet. Call 01471 844305 or buy on the door. Further information: www. armadalecastle.com
Saturday June 16, Stables Cafe, Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum, Skye, 2pm: Clàrsach (Scottish harp) recital and competition judging. Free, all welcome.
Live streaming will be available on Facebook (www.facebook. com/ArmadaleCastleSkye) and YouTube (link from website, www.armadalecastle.com).