Kirsty Lovie wins the KDAF Fiddle competition

On Wednesday 16th November at the Woodend Barn, Banchory the final of the Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum Fiddle Competition took place.
The judges were Paul Anderson (Traditional Fiddler), Alan John (Classical Violinist) and Mark Hope (Chair KDAF).
Six of the original 16 applicants had been chosen to compete; Eilidh Anderson (Traditional), Kirsty Lovie (Classical), George Davidson (Traditional/Classical), Cameron Ross (Traditional), Emma Pantel (Classical) and Helen Stirling Classical/Traditional).
There were about 80 family members, friends and other audience members there to support these young and talented players in their efforts to play their best. Both classical and traditional styles were represented, including two fiddlers/violinists who played in both genres. The range of pieces heard by the audience was therefore very broad, which made for an enjoyable evening’s listening.

Ian Greig, maker and donator of the prize had brought along not only the prize violin, but other instruments he is currently repairing, as a display of his work for the audience to view.

The judges didn’t take long to decide who the winner should be, so walked on to the stage after just 15 minutes of discussion, along with the violin maker, Ian Greig. Before the winner was announced, there was a surprise second prize to give out.
The KDAF had decided to offer £100 as a runner up prize, so the judges agreed that George Davidson (Traditional/Classical) should receive this. The cheque was presented to him by Ian Greig. For the main prize the judges were unanimous about who the winner should be. Ian Greig proudly presented the prize violin to an extremely delighted Kirsty Lovie.

Another surprise announcement was then made by Mark Hope. He had been talking with Stewart Aitken (Artistic Director/CEO, Aberdeen International Youth Festival) and Stewart has offered to give not only the winner her own platform at next year’s Festival, but all the finalists will be invited to be a part of an event as well. So everyone’s a winner!

Fiddle Competition: The Final. Wednesday 16th November 201

Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum Fiddle Competition

The Final

Wednesday 16th November 2011
7.30pm
Woodend Barn, Banchory

On Sunday 25th September 14 young violinists and fiddlers took part in the First Round of the competition. The judges thoroughly enjoyed listening to all of the entrants, but at the end of the round they had to eliminate eight musicians in order to leave just six to fight it out for the prize violin at the final.

So, the finalists are:

Eilidh Anderson (Traditional)

George Davidson (mainly Traditional)

Kirsty Lovie (Classical)

Emma Pantel (Classical)

Cameron Ross (Traditional)

Helen Stirling (Classical/Traditional)

An interesting mix of styles for the judges and audience to listen to.

The prize will be handed to the winner by its maker, Ian Greig, who will also be displaying his work for the audience to look at while the judges are deciding the winner.

A replacement judge has been engaged to replace Angus Anderson, who is no longer available.  The new judge is Alan John, a 1st violinist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra who was brought up in Banff and studied at Trinity College of Music (London) and the Royal Scottish academy of Music and Drama (Glasgow).

The entry rules to the KDAF fiddle competition have been revised

Are you now eligible to enter the KDAF fiddle competition?

Read on to find out

The main change in the rules is about eligibility.  If you live in Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire or have been brought up in the area then you can NOW enter the competition.

The other important change is that the closing date is now Thursday 30th June 2011.

There’s a wonderful prize up for grabs so apply now!

KDAF Fiddle competition rules and application form

Please click on the links below for an application form and further information about the fiddle competition.

KDAF Fiddle Competition Application Form REVISED May 2011 pdf

KDAF Fiddle Competition Application Form REVISED May 2011 pdf

KDAF Fiddle Competition Rules REVISED May 2011word doc

KDAF Fiddle Competition Application Form REVISED May 2011 word doc

Contact

Gordon Jack, Project Administrator (Fiddle Competition)

Mobile: 07813 256 493 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07813 256 493      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Email: gordonjack@tiscali.co.uk.

Press and Journal February 18th 2011: KDAF Fiddle competition press release. ‘Ian Greig, of Banchory, has given the handmade violin as a prize to the Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum.

To read the KDAF Fiddle competition press release in the Press and Journal please click on the image below.

 

KDAF Fiddle Competition 2011. To be held at Woodend Barn Arts Centre, Banchory

The Story
Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum are holding a Fiddle Competition in November 2011. The purpose of this competition is to help raise the profile of young musical talent and highlight the role of Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum in supporting all forms of artistic activity among groups and individuals within the Aberdeenshire South area. It is an unusual competition in that it is open to both classical and traditional players.

KDAF recently gave grant assistance to Ian Greig of Banchory to enable him to attend the Newark School of Violin Making. Ian is very generously gifting one of his hand made violins as the prize for this competition. The violin was made in 2008 and is an interpretation of Sacconi Cessols, Antonio Stradivari violin of 1716 and has an insurance value of between £6000 and £7000. To be eligible to enter the competition, the applicant must have a connection with the Kincardine and Deeside area and must be under 20 years of age on 31st December 2011. The winner will be an individual who shows their passion for the violin and for music in general and will give three performances on the violin at events across the Shire.

Ian Greig, violin maker said, “The North East of Scotland, and in particular Aberdeen, is steeped in hundreds of years of violin making. I am very proud to play a small part in the North East’s traditional craft, and be part of its heritage. I wish all the entrants the best of luck in the competition and no matter how old the contestant is it’s what you bring to it that counts. “

Mark Hope, KDAF Chair said, “Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum (KDAF) are thrilled that Ian Greig, a past recipient of a small grant, has so generously gifted one of his beautiful violins. KDAF is delighted to be able to host the fiddle competition which also enables the forum to promote the important part it plays in promoting all forms of artistic activity among groups and individuals of all ages within South Aberdeenshire.”

Mark Hope, will chair the panel of judges. Paul Anderson, the traditional fiddler and Angus Anderson, a classical violinist will evaluate the contestants’ performance from a professional point of view. The competition rules and an application form can be downloaded from the following websites, kdaf.org and iangreigviolins.com. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th May 2011. The first round which will be in the form of an audition and interview will take place in September and the Final round will be held on Wednesday 16th November 2011 at 7.30pm in the Wooden Barn, Banchory.

The Competition Violin
The Competition violin is an interpretation of Sacconi Cessols, Antonio Stradivari violin of 1716. Ian Greig’s violin was made in 2008. The violin is made from Italian spruce, maple and ebony. To enhance the look of the maple, Ian has used his own spirit varnish made from a substance the lac insect produces. The colour comes from hand-made madder also made by Ian. Twenty coats of spirit varnish are then thinly applied over a few days. The antiquing is the final stage and this is when the maker can be creative.

Biography of Ian Greig
Born in Stonehaven in the “60s” and now living in Banchory, Ian has been influenced by music all of his life. His grandmother “Jean” often played her ‘mouthie’ and was also a keen player of the fiddle, this in turn has had a lasting impression on him.

In the early 80’s a visit to the Skye festival with a friend started him off and he was blown away by the power and energy of players of fiddle and the bands that played them.

Ian was a late starter in playing the violin, but decided that his passion lay in making them, and so he went to the renowned international “Newark School of Violin Making”, where students from all over the world compete for places to study at the school for the coveted Beare’s Diploma.

While still a student, Ian sold his first violin to an up and coming soloist. Ian gained the diploma and has been making violins since 2004. Ian’s violins are now sold to all parts of the UK.

Contact
Gordon Jack, Project Administrator (Fiddle Competition)

Mobile: 07813 256 493 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07813 256 493      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07813 256 493      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Email: gordonjack@tiscali.co.uk.

KDAF fiddle competition: First prize is a violin made and donated by Ian Greig of Banchory.

Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum are holding a Fiddle Competition
in November 2011 with the first round being held in
September leading up to the final on the 16th November.
The purpose of this competition is to help raise the profile of young
musical talent and highlight the role of Kincardine and Deeside
Arts Forum in supporting all forms of artistic activity among
groups and individuals within the Aberdeenshire South area.

It is an unusual competition in that it is open to both classical and
traditional players.

KDAF gave grant assistance to Ian Greig of Banchory to enable
him to attend the Newark School of Violin Making. Ian is
very generously gifting one of his hand made violins as the
prize for this competition.
The violin was made in 2008 and is an interpretation of Sacconi Cessols, Antonio Stradivari violin of 1716 and has an insurance value of between £6000 and £7000.
To be eligible to enter the competition, the applicant must have a connection with the Kincardine and Deeside area and must be under 20 years of age on 31st December 2011. The winner will be an individual who shows their passion for the violin and for music in general and will give three performances on the violin at events across the Shire.

For more information, please contact;
Gordon Jack, Project Administrator (Fiddle Competition)
Mobile: 07813 256 493
email: gordonjack@tiscali.co.uk

Closing date for entries – 30th May 2011

KDAF Fiddle competition 2011

KDAF will be launching the competition in February 2011. The competition will help raise the profile of young musical talent and highlight the role of the KDAF in supporting all forms of artistic activity among groups and individuals within the Aberdeenshire South area.

This is an unusual competition in the fact that it is open to any style of violin playing (classical, traditional, etc.), so, two professional musicians – a classical violinist and a traditional fiddle player – are going to adjudicate.

There is no set minimum standard for the competition, however, applicants must be able to demonstrate their potential on the instrument. Entrants must be resident in the Aberdeenshire South area and under the age of 20 on 31st December 2011.

The First Round will be in the form of an interview/audition which will be held in September 2011. The Final, which will be an evening event open to the public, will be in mid-November 2011. The winner will receive the very generous prize of a brand new violin made by Ian Greig of Banchory. Also, the winner will perform, for free, at three musical events across the Shire, giving the violin and its new owner valuable performance experience.

Application forms and further details will be available Thursday 17th February