StrathFest 2021

STRATHFEST 2021

Monday 8 March - Friday 12 March 2021

WELCOME TO THE BADENOCH AND STRATHSPEY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021

Things are going to be a bit different next year, as we will be having a virtual competition. This is a new venture where performance and adjudication are done on line. We’re using a new platform called Play and Perform.

We sincerely hope you will decide to enter. Other than choirs we can offer a similar range of classes.

There are just a few points to keep in mind when making your entry.
1. Record your performance on your phone or tablet. Please make sure your device is virus free and stable. The video must be one continuous and unedited performance.
2. Remember when recording to look towards the light. Avoid having a window or light behind you.
3. If you are an instrumentalist, make sure that your technique is clearly in sight (the adjudicator needs to see this).
4. Introduce yourself with your name, title of the piece and class number relating to your entry.
5. Let us know where and under what conditions you are recording to conform with Scottish Government guidelines.
6. The closing date for entries is Monday 15th February 2021. Videos and copies of music must be uploaded by Monday 1st March 2021.
Most of all, remember to smile and enjoy!
Use the buttons below to link to the syllabus or to register for 2021.

UPDATE : the deadline for submitting videos has been extended to midnight on 2 March

View the Syllabus

You can also view the syllabus here

Prescribed pieces

Traditional Fiddle (beginners & intermediate) - (click to view)
Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh (Iain Ruairidh's Lament)
Skye Boat Song
Loch Ruan
Scarce o'Tatties
Highland Whisky
The Shores of Loch Bee

Other versions of the prescribed tunes are welcome as long as the music is provided for the adjudicator.

Adjudicators for 2021

NORMAN BOLTON
Norman has been Music Development Officer in Highland (formerly with Highland Council and now High Life Highland) since 2004, following a 14 year period leading vibrant activities as a Principal Teacher of Music in an Inverness secondary school. Norman has broad musical tastes and experiences, many of which have come through his role as an SQA Examiner – for over 30 years! His current workload allows him to lead music education activities across all of Highland from management, admin and musical perspectives. In addition to looking after the day to day business of Instrumental Tuition in Highland schools and other specific education work, many partnerships with Scotland's professional music companies have been developed. Quality and diversity of experience is at the heart of Norman’s work ethos – a mindset which he also tries to maintain in his role as Conductor of Dingwall Choral Society.

LOUISE MANDERS LLAM ALAM GODA MSTSD (Adj)

Louise was born in Westcliff on Sea and first trod the boards when only five days old and has never looked back. Her varied and interesting professional theatrical career began in repertory theatre with Haymarket Stage Productions progressing from stage management to acquiring her Equity card as an actress. Louise really enjoyed touring the UK and she appeared in all aspects of theatre including repertory/repertoire and musicals, as well as appearing on television and in films. Louise is presently not only an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, but is also an adjudicator member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. She was Artistic Director of the Phoenix Youth Theatre in Southend, formerly the New Focus Theatre, for many years. Louise’s extensive work as an adjudicator has taken her all over the UK and abroad. She has adjudicated regularly in Sri Lanka. She runs workshops and master classes, directs plays (including open air productions) and musicals, devises original drama compositions, writes poetry and has written many musical plays for children and students. She teaches speech, drama, musical theatre, mime and dance drama to students of all ages, including adults, and specialises in the LAMDA examinations. Louise is an experienced theatre director and even finds time to dance flamenco! A festival is a celebration and enables all entrants to bring their creativity and enthusiasm to fruition. Louise is really looking forward to sharing in these celebrations on her first virtual visit to the Strath Fest.

PATSY REID
Patsy Reid is a much respected and in demand folk musician. Specialising in fiddle and viola, she has performed regularly with luminaries such as Julie Fowlis, Kathryn Tickell, Charlie McKerron, Donald Shaw, Mhairi Hall and Breabach. As a recording artist and arranger, she appears on many recordings by the aforementioned as well as Zakir Hussain, Flook, Tim Edey, Hamish Napier and many, many more.

With a 1st class music degree from Strathclyde University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Violin from the Royal Northern College of Music, Patsy is a versatile musician and attributes her unique style to her love of traditional music and simultaneous learning of fiddle and classical violin technique. She divides her time pretty equally between performing, recording and teaching these days and is delighted to be asked back to adjudicate the young musicians of Strathspey and Badenoch, though sadly without a visit to the valley this time.

Calum Alex Macmillan was born and brought up in the Isle of Lewis, surrounded by traditional music and Gaelic song from a young age. He has gone to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic singers. He is one of the youngest ever winners of the Mod Gold Medal, adding the traditional Gold medal and the traditional prize from the Pan Celtic festival to this.

As well as maintaining a successful career as solo singer and piper, Calum Alex was part of the Gaelic supergroup 'Dàimh' between 2006 and 2012 recording two critically acclaimed albums and performing extensively throughout the UK and Europe. He was also part of the all-male Gaelic supergroup Na Seòid who were led by Gaelic singer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.

Calum Alex has set-up home in Inverness, currently working as Development Manager of Fèisean nan Gàidheal where he is involved in supporting community Fèisean and a range of projects that support the development of Gaelic Arts, Language and Culture.

In 2017 he released his second solo album, ‘Till’ which featured traditional and contemporary songs from his native Lewis alongside some newly self-penned pipe music.