The music room in Fyvie Castle is a special playing venue. Excellent acoustics keep the music focussed despite the distraction of the historic surroundings.
Susan conducting.
Concentration
Mark testing the microphone.
Thanks for the photos provided by Bill Sinclair
Garioch Fiddlers Rally 2018
The Garioch Fiddlers Strathspey and Reel Society’s 35thFiddlers Rally under the conductorship of Susan Simpson was held in Inverurie Town Hall on Saturday 21 April. The near capacity audience clearly enjoyed the evening’s Scottish entertainment.
Juniors and Seniors playing at 2018 Garioch Fiddlers Rally
Compere was the ever-popular Colin Dempster who as always enjoys a great rapport with the local audience.
Guest artiste for the evening was Iona Fyfe who was accompanied by Luc MacNally on guitar and showed why she has won accolades over the world with a selection of interesting ballads which intrigued the audience. Close to her Huntly roots, her best song was the “Banks of Inverurie” and her adaptation of June Imray’s “Quine who did the strip at Inverurie” amused all despite being questionable to strict Inverurie historians.
After welcoming the audience whom he thanked for their continued support over the years, Jerry Morse the Chairman, welcomed guest musicians from both neighbouring societies and as far away as the Netherlands to the orchestra along with guest players Kirsty Livingston on bass and Colin Burgess on drums. He then introduced both Neil Hehir, the leader of the orchestra, and then musical director Susan Simpson to the stage who proceeded to set the mood for the rest of the evening by conducting a set of Marches, followed by a waltz composed for pianist Yvone Crighton by prolific local composer Ian Thow. This year’s novelty item was entitled “The Royal Wedding” which was enjoyed with great fun by both orchestra and the audience.
The winners of the yearly competitions for younger members of the Society were presented with their awards by Nicola Tierney. From the junior section (under the age of 15), the Alex Garden Memorial Trophy for best overall performance was won by Jessica Thomson whilst Rhona Fraser was awarded the Bert Morgan Cup for the best slow air, with the George Smith trophy for best first time entrant being won by Hannah Farquhar.
The winner of the title “Garioch Young Fiddler of the Year 2018” and the Bill Johnston Memorial trophy was won for the third year running by Finlay Morse who played his winning selection accompanied by Alexander Davidson with a standard of playing showing why he was selected to spend his Saturdays playing in Glasgow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
As usual, the second half was opened by the Junior Section who have been extremely well schooled under Alexander Davidson standing in for Nicola Tierney, whilst she has been on maternity leave this year. The junior fiddlers finished their performance with the premier of a new tune composed by Alexander entitled “Junior Garioch Fiddlers Welcome to Isabella Tierney”. As always this was very much appreciated by the audience and by proud mother Nicola who heard the piece for the first time.
The final selection including traditional Scottish songs, with Lynn Sinclair, Colin Dempster and Jo McDowall at the microphone, was followed by piper and a former “Young Fiddler of the Year’ Kenneth MacBeath, playing the Rose of Kelvingrove, forcing the reluctant fiddlers to play in three flats. In a new and welcome initiative, the final set combined the Senior Orchestra and the Junior section playing a set of reels which rounded off an absolutely fantastic evening.
At the end of such a busy and rousing evening’s entertainment the audience joined in enthusiastically to sing “Auld Lang Syne”
and departed in very good spirits, looking forward already to the 36thAnnual Fiddlers Rally. Can it really be better than that of 2018?
🎉Congratulations to all who took part in Monday’s competition! 🎉
Everyone played fantastically well – this years winners are:
The Alex Garden Memorial Trophy for overall winner: Jessica Thomson 
🏆
The Bert Morgan Cup for best slow air: Rhona Fraser 🏆
The George Smith Trophy for best first time entrant: Hannah Farquhar 🏆
The Bill Johnston Memorial Trophy: Finlay Morse 🏆
Thanks to James Alexander for his adjudication, Nicola Tierney for the introductions, and all at the Garioch Fiddlers for their help.
A busy night before the ceilidh dance on the Saturday night
Colin compere and piano player.
GARIOCH FIDDLERS ANNUAL FAMILY CEILIDH, SATURDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2018
Here it is the chance you’ve all been waiting for,
the opportunity to buy your tickets hot off the press for our Ceilidh.
The evening is guaranteed to be a success but only if Juniors, Seniors, Family and Friends support us by coming along and having a great night. Which I’m sure you will.
The Committee organise this event for you and appreciate your support
Let me remind you what’s on offer –
DANCING WITH FANTASTIC MUSIC FROM, NEIL HEHIR AND FRIENDS
A DELICIOUS SUPPER PROVIDED BY THE KINTORE ARMS HOTEL, INVERURIE
MARVELLOUS RAFFLE PRIZES
GAMES WITH PRIZES FOR ALL AGES
A GREAT NIGHT OUT WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
After Christmas it will be time to cheer ourselves up with a really
GREAT NIGHT OUT!
Please fill in the slips which have been emailed to you and return to Manda Sim at our practice night. If you haven’t received a form, then see Manda, Alexander or Peter at practice on Monday.
This is my first post on the new website.
We have two significant events coming up soon. First the Family Ceilidh on 17th February in the Kintore Arms and second our Annual Garioch Fiddlers Rally 2018 on 21st April 2018 in Inverurie Town Hall.
Last Year’s Rally
The Juniors in full swing before Christmas! Great playing from everyone!
Just a reminder for all of the Juniors – it’s the last rehearsal of 2017 tomorrow night! We’ll do requests of our favourite sets, then we’ll finish off with some Christmas tunes with the Seniors! Bring your Santa hats!
A north-east teenager will take to the stage of one of the most iconic theatres in the world to perform today.
Fiddler Finlay Morse has travelled to Russia with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and will play some traditional Scottish music at the Bolshoi Theatre.
The 15-year-old Bucksburn Academy pupil has been performing for many years but is expecting this to be a highlight so far.
Don’t forget that Monday night it is the AGM at 7:30 followed by normal practice. Also at 7:15 during the Junior practice the press will be there to take a photo of the presentation of the monies raised by the Junior concert before the break. Hope to see you all there
