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.
Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum (KDAF) 