Chance for young music composers

Budding West Lothian composers are invited to enter a music contest.

An organisation that promotes traditional arts across Scotland has teamed up with Thorntons Investments to provide a great opportunity for a young musician to compose new music to be performed at this year’s Blas Festival which celebrates the Year of Young People 2018.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal supports 47 local Fèisean across Scotland which, collectively, offer tuition in traditional music and Gaelic song to over 6000 young people annually.

Last year, Fèisean nan Gàidheal won the‘Gaelic as an Economic Asset’ category at the Daily Record/Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Awards, a prize sponsored by Thorntons Investments.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal also runs the annual Blas Festival in partnership with The Highland Council.

Its chief executive, Arthur Cormack, said: “Working together, we are delighted to offer a new commission for a young musician which will guarantee performances of the new music at Blas, as well as the opportunity to record the work, after the festival, to bring it to a wider audience.”

Thorntons Investments chief executive, Stephen Webster, said: “Competitions like this can be a useful stepping stone for composers and our aim is that Thorntons Investments’contribution will help push the boundaries and boost recognition of talent in our communities.”

He added:“The Blas Festival has always involved young people. This year, Blas is organising a number of special events with financial support from the Year of Young People 2018 event fund, managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.”

Fèisean nan Gàidheal is looking for young musicians to put forward ideas and the winner will be selected by a panel which will include young people. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday, May 21, and further details of the bid can be found on Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s website.