Perth ‘90 - 41st All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Championships
by Tom Clark
B&F December 1990
After his 40th Anniversary Show last year, Bill Wilkie must have been thinking that he was due an easier time this year, but no such luck.
I had been trying to contact him during the week before the Festival and found it almost impossible. He never seems to stop. However, all the efforts always seem to pay off in the end, and we had yet another fine day of competitions and a great show at the evening concert.
The weather was kinder to us this year, which made the trekking from venue to venue quite enjoyable. The attendance at the main events seemed to be a bit higher than last year.
As always, the Senior Traditional event stirred the interests of the enthusiasts, and there were some outstanding performances in the early afternoon in the Main Hall. Many of these young players are now beginning to make names for themselves with their regular appearances and high standard of playing.
There was a spell in recent years after some of the well known names disappeared from the list and a vacuum seemed to be left. This is changing again and the audience look forward to the playing of players like James Coutts, Wayne Robertson, Brian Morrison (a young man to watch out for), Michael Philip and many others.
This year’s winner Liam Howitt, gave a sparkling performance, displaying brilliant technique and is going to be difficult to dislodge from his perch. Mind you, I’ve heard him on other occasions giving a much more sensitive and musical performance.
The other events in the Main Hall attracting larger audiences were the Veteran Section and the Band Section. Entries in these events were down this year. Willie Lawrie won the Veteran Section and Ian Hutson and his Band won the Band Section.
At other venues, the Classical events were up to their usual high standard and regular adjudicators, Cyril Pasby and Graham Romani, were in the in their usual seats. We have become so accustomed to seeing them there, that the Festival just wouldn’t be the same without them. Both are well known teachers and composers and are much involved with the British College of Accordionists as examiners – very busy men, yet they always seem to find the time to be at the Perth Festival.
Graham told me that he isn’t doing quite do much these days, “But I always like to get to Perth”. Graham has been playing the accordion since 1934, having studied the piano and organ at Grammar School. His accordion study was under Conway Graves and Prof. E. Pett. Accordion players all over the world are familiar with the output of Graham as a composer. One of his compositions ‘Ccacona Acredemica’ was chosen as the World Solo Test Piece in 1959.
Graham’s works include many technical books and teachers of the accordion use these over a wide range of age groups.
I managed to get Graham to promise to send a photograph and he has chosen one of him conducting an accordion orchestra in St Paul’s Cathedral in November last year (the first time an accordion orchestra had played there) – an achievement he must be proud of.
I manager to have a brief word with Cyril Pasby who had been adjudicating in the Salutation Hotel. Cyril has been an examiner for the B.C.A. since 1960, and shortly afterwards became an adjudicator for the British Federation of Music Festivals, traveling throughout the UK and abroad. He has been closely associated with the Perth Festival for about 20 years.
Those of us who attend the Musselburgh Festival will know that Cyril is a regular there also. He is also well known as a teacher and has taught more than thirty professional diploma holders. Cyril says he always enjoys coming to Scotland, particularly because of the many friends he has made over the years – but back to the Festival competitions!
In the Classical Polka Section, the winner was again Liam Howitt, and once again his immaculate performance was a treat to listen to.
Still in the Polka Section, but this time in the 9 and Under age group, a young man named Jamie McKelvie delighted everybody with his performance and Graham Romani gave him first place.
Jamie is the grand-nephew of George McKelvie, second box player in the famous Shand line-up of Jimmy, Syd Chalmers, George McKelvie, Norman Whitelaw, John Whyte and Owen McCabe.
Young Jamie’s offering was extremely musical and I’m certain that we’ll be hearing an awful lot more about him in a few years time.
Bill’s concert in the evening was the usual sell-out and the packed hall was treated to some wonderful playing by Marcel Azzola, as well as a repeat performance by the finalists in the Senior Traditional Championship. I haven’t heard Marcel playing in the flesh and was disappointed that I couldn’t stay.
During the day, I found myself sitting next to Peter Bruce and he was extolling the ability of Marcel, having heard him during a rehearsal earlier.
The Dance in the Salutation Hotel in the late evening has now become a regular feature of the Festival activities and a great way to ed the day.
Bobby Crowe and his Band provided the music this year, and the ballroom at the Salutation was ‘bursting at the seams’.
Well, that’s it all over for another year – and it’s a bit frightening how quickly they come round these days. Here’s to next year.
The official winners list for 1990 is :
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
2)
3)
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
2) Robert Ross (Kincardine)
3) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
All Scotland Senior Amateur
1) William Bradley (Balloch)
2) Freda Nicoll (Clunie)
3) Graham Bell (Chirnside)
Veterans’ Section
1) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
2) Alistair Henderson (Isle of Skye)
3) Hector Anderson (Fort William)
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Lynne Christie (Keith)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Barry Howieson
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Allison Gilfillan (Perth)
2) Fiona Gilfillan (Perth)
3=) Lynn Gould (Huntly) & Fiona Cuthbertson (Thornhill)
Junior Girls Scottish Traditional
1) Lynn Christie (Huntly)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (St Boswells)
3) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Own Composition
1) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
2) James Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Wayne Robertson (Marywell)
Trios
1) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
2) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
3) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Ian Hutson (Dunbar)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Junior Scottish Country Dance Band
The Sma’ Glen Toe-Tappers
FIDDLE CLASSES
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
1) Kevin Hay (Fochabers)
2) Jacqueline Beaumont
3)
Junior Fiddle (Under 16)
1) Fiona Ballantyne
2) Kevin Hay (Fochabers)
3) Peter Davies
Senior Fiddle
1) Paul Anderson (Tarland)
2) Carol Anderson
CLASSICAL CLASSES
7 Years and Under
1) Fiona Jane Greer
2) Euan Crawford
9 Years and Under
1) Jamie McKelvie
2) Fraser Sim
3) Elaine Gunn
11 Years and Under
1) David Ritchie
2) Ross Irvine
3) Eileen Harkness
13 Years and Under
1) Lindsay Ann Allan
2) Allison Stewart
3) Gillian Campbell
15 Years and Under
1) William Friel
2) Heather MacKenzie
3) Colin McNeil
John Leslie Championship
1) Angela Small
2) Gavin Penny
Area Junior Championship
1) Alan Small
2) David Farmer
3) Peter Stewart
Preparatory Solo A
1) Jill Craig
2) Richard Graham
3) Stuart Crawford
Preparatory Solo B
1)
2)
3)
Elementary Solo A
1) Kevin Gardiner
2) William Gallagher
3) Scott Haggard
Elementary Solo B
1) Andrew Gunn
2) Douglas Crawford
3) Alasdair MacLeod
Higher Elementary Solo
1) Grant Law
2) Colin Train
3) Scott Muncie
Intermediate Solo
1) Stewart Wilson
2) Alex Meikle
3) James Flood
Higher Intermediate Solo
1)
2)
3)
Advanced Solo Championship
1) Michael Craig
2) Craign Cuthbertson
3) Aileen Smith
Perth Open Solo
1) Michael Philip
2) William Friel
3)
Polka (Under 16) Section A
1) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
2) Gerrard Burns
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Polka (Under 16) Section B
1) David Ritchie
2) Louise Harkness
3) Jill Blackburn
Senior Polka Section (16 and over)
1) Liam Howitt
2) Pamela Mutch
3) Mhairi Craig
Theme Solo
Elementary Free Bass
1)
Intermediate Free Bass
1)
2)
Open Solo Free Bass
1)
2)
Entertainment
1)
Preparatory Duet
1) Ashley Prichard & Kevin Wilson
2) Jill & Vicki Craig
3) Lorna Reid & Lindsay Macindewar
Elementary Duet
1) Rhona & Ross Irvine
2) David & Marcus McCloy
3) Lauren & Peter MacFarlane
Intermediate Duet
1) Kirstin & Angus Lyon (Lamington)
2) Gerrard Burns & Eileen Harkness
3) Aylene Twaddle & Jill Moffat
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Colin McNeill & Leslie Morrison
2) Lousie Harkness & Lyndsey Allan
3) Avril Kinloch & Shona McLean
Advanced Duet
1) Robert Muir & Robert Hutchison
2) Karen Barr & Keith Robertson
Premier Duet
1) Craig Drysdale & Gordon Haddow
Preparatory Band
1) Preparatory Band
2)
Elementary Band
1) Elementary Band
2)
Intermediate Band
1)
2)
Advanced Band
1)
2)
Elementary Group
1) G & B Laurie Elementary Group
2) Gillespie Elementary Group
3) Tinto Elementary Group
Intermediate Group
1) G & B Laurie Intermediate Orchestra
2)
3)
Advanced Group Section
1)
2)
Art Level Group
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Liam Smith
2)
3)
I had been trying to contact him during the week before the Festival and found it almost impossible. He never seems to stop. However, all the efforts always seem to pay off in the end, and we had yet another fine day of competitions and a great show at the evening concert.
The weather was kinder to us this year, which made the trekking from venue to venue quite enjoyable. The attendance at the main events seemed to be a bit higher than last year.
As always, the Senior Traditional event stirred the interests of the enthusiasts, and there were some outstanding performances in the early afternoon in the Main Hall. Many of these young players are now beginning to make names for themselves with their regular appearances and high standard of playing.
There was a spell in recent years after some of the well known names disappeared from the list and a vacuum seemed to be left. This is changing again and the audience look forward to the playing of players like James Coutts, Wayne Robertson, Brian Morrison (a young man to watch out for), Michael Philip and many others.
This year’s winner Liam Howitt, gave a sparkling performance, displaying brilliant technique and is going to be difficult to dislodge from his perch. Mind you, I’ve heard him on other occasions giving a much more sensitive and musical performance.
The other events in the Main Hall attracting larger audiences were the Veteran Section and the Band Section. Entries in these events were down this year. Willie Lawrie won the Veteran Section and Ian Hutson and his Band won the Band Section.
At other venues, the Classical events were up to their usual high standard and regular adjudicators, Cyril Pasby and Graham Romani, were in the in their usual seats. We have become so accustomed to seeing them there, that the Festival just wouldn’t be the same without them. Both are well known teachers and composers and are much involved with the British College of Accordionists as examiners – very busy men, yet they always seem to find the time to be at the Perth Festival.
Graham told me that he isn’t doing quite do much these days, “But I always like to get to Perth”. Graham has been playing the accordion since 1934, having studied the piano and organ at Grammar School. His accordion study was under Conway Graves and Prof. E. Pett. Accordion players all over the world are familiar with the output of Graham as a composer. One of his compositions ‘Ccacona Acredemica’ was chosen as the World Solo Test Piece in 1959.
Graham’s works include many technical books and teachers of the accordion use these over a wide range of age groups.
I managed to get Graham to promise to send a photograph and he has chosen one of him conducting an accordion orchestra in St Paul’s Cathedral in November last year (the first time an accordion orchestra had played there) – an achievement he must be proud of.
I manager to have a brief word with Cyril Pasby who had been adjudicating in the Salutation Hotel. Cyril has been an examiner for the B.C.A. since 1960, and shortly afterwards became an adjudicator for the British Federation of Music Festivals, traveling throughout the UK and abroad. He has been closely associated with the Perth Festival for about 20 years.
Those of us who attend the Musselburgh Festival will know that Cyril is a regular there also. He is also well known as a teacher and has taught more than thirty professional diploma holders. Cyril says he always enjoys coming to Scotland, particularly because of the many friends he has made over the years – but back to the Festival competitions!
In the Classical Polka Section, the winner was again Liam Howitt, and once again his immaculate performance was a treat to listen to.
Still in the Polka Section, but this time in the 9 and Under age group, a young man named Jamie McKelvie delighted everybody with his performance and Graham Romani gave him first place.
Jamie is the grand-nephew of George McKelvie, second box player in the famous Shand line-up of Jimmy, Syd Chalmers, George McKelvie, Norman Whitelaw, John Whyte and Owen McCabe.
Young Jamie’s offering was extremely musical and I’m certain that we’ll be hearing an awful lot more about him in a few years time.
Bill’s concert in the evening was the usual sell-out and the packed hall was treated to some wonderful playing by Marcel Azzola, as well as a repeat performance by the finalists in the Senior Traditional Championship. I haven’t heard Marcel playing in the flesh and was disappointed that I couldn’t stay.
During the day, I found myself sitting next to Peter Bruce and he was extolling the ability of Marcel, having heard him during a rehearsal earlier.
The Dance in the Salutation Hotel in the late evening has now become a regular feature of the Festival activities and a great way to ed the day.
Bobby Crowe and his Band provided the music this year, and the ballroom at the Salutation was ‘bursting at the seams’.
Well, that’s it all over for another year – and it’s a bit frightening how quickly they come round these days. Here’s to next year.
The official winners list for 1990 is :
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
2)
3)
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
2) Robert Ross (Kincardine)
3) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
All Scotland Senior Amateur
1) William Bradley (Balloch)
2) Freda Nicoll (Clunie)
3) Graham Bell (Chirnside)
Veterans’ Section
1) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
2) Alistair Henderson (Isle of Skye)
3) Hector Anderson (Fort William)
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Lynne Christie (Keith)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Barry Howieson
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Allison Gilfillan (Perth)
2) Fiona Gilfillan (Perth)
3=) Lynn Gould (Huntly) & Fiona Cuthbertson (Thornhill)
Junior Girls Scottish Traditional
1) Lynn Christie (Huntly)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (St Boswells)
3) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Own Composition
1) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
2) James Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Wayne Robertson (Marywell)
Trios
1) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
2) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
3) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
Senior Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Ian Hutson (Dunbar)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
Junior Scottish Country Dance Band
The Sma’ Glen Toe-Tappers
FIDDLE CLASSES
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
1) Kevin Hay (Fochabers)
2) Jacqueline Beaumont
3)
Junior Fiddle (Under 16)
1) Fiona Ballantyne
2) Kevin Hay (Fochabers)
3) Peter Davies
Senior Fiddle
1) Paul Anderson (Tarland)
2) Carol Anderson
CLASSICAL CLASSES
7 Years and Under
1) Fiona Jane Greer
2) Euan Crawford
9 Years and Under
1) Jamie McKelvie
2) Fraser Sim
3) Elaine Gunn
11 Years and Under
1) David Ritchie
2) Ross Irvine
3) Eileen Harkness
13 Years and Under
1) Lindsay Ann Allan
2) Allison Stewart
3) Gillian Campbell
15 Years and Under
1) William Friel
2) Heather MacKenzie
3) Colin McNeil
John Leslie Championship
1) Angela Small
2) Gavin Penny
Area Junior Championship
1) Alan Small
2) David Farmer
3) Peter Stewart
Preparatory Solo A
1) Jill Craig
2) Richard Graham
3) Stuart Crawford
Preparatory Solo B
1)
2)
3)
Elementary Solo A
1) Kevin Gardiner
2) William Gallagher
3) Scott Haggard
Elementary Solo B
1) Andrew Gunn
2) Douglas Crawford
3) Alasdair MacLeod
Higher Elementary Solo
1) Grant Law
2) Colin Train
3) Scott Muncie
Intermediate Solo
1) Stewart Wilson
2) Alex Meikle
3) James Flood
Higher Intermediate Solo
1)
2)
3)
Advanced Solo Championship
1) Michael Craig
2) Craign Cuthbertson
3) Aileen Smith
Perth Open Solo
1) Michael Philip
2) William Friel
3)
Polka (Under 16) Section A
1) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
2) Gerrard Burns
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Polka (Under 16) Section B
1) David Ritchie
2) Louise Harkness
3) Jill Blackburn
Senior Polka Section (16 and over)
1) Liam Howitt
2) Pamela Mutch
3) Mhairi Craig
Theme Solo
Elementary Free Bass
1)
Intermediate Free Bass
1)
2)
Open Solo Free Bass
1)
2)
Entertainment
1)
Preparatory Duet
1) Ashley Prichard & Kevin Wilson
2) Jill & Vicki Craig
3) Lorna Reid & Lindsay Macindewar
Elementary Duet
1) Rhona & Ross Irvine
2) David & Marcus McCloy
3) Lauren & Peter MacFarlane
Intermediate Duet
1) Kirstin & Angus Lyon (Lamington)
2) Gerrard Burns & Eileen Harkness
3) Aylene Twaddle & Jill Moffat
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Colin McNeill & Leslie Morrison
2) Lousie Harkness & Lyndsey Allan
3) Avril Kinloch & Shona McLean
Advanced Duet
1) Robert Muir & Robert Hutchison
2) Karen Barr & Keith Robertson
Premier Duet
1) Craig Drysdale & Gordon Haddow
Preparatory Band
1) Preparatory Band
2)
Elementary Band
1) Elementary Band
2)
Intermediate Band
1)
2)
Advanced Band
1)
2)
Elementary Group
1) G & B Laurie Elementary Group
2) Gillespie Elementary Group
3) Tinto Elementary Group
Intermediate Group
1) G & B Laurie Intermediate Orchestra
2)
3)
Advanced Group Section
1)
2)
Art Level Group
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Liam Smith
2)
3)