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Ross-shire participants make their mark as Inverness Music Festival hosts the first busy weekend of performances


By Margaret Chrystall

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The first three days of this year’s Inverness Music Festival saw performers in the spotlight for the first batch of competitions.

At Saturday’s Curtis Craig competition: Isabelle Bremner (Inverness Royal Academy), Angela Nankivell (Dingwall Academy, winner) and Myfanwy Treacy Plain (Gordonstoun). Picture: Callum Mackay
At Saturday’s Curtis Craig competition: Isabelle Bremner (Inverness Royal Academy), Angela Nankivell (Dingwall Academy, winner) and Myfanwy Treacy Plain (Gordonstoun). Picture: Callum Mackay

More than 300 competitors will take part with the final set of categories due to be completed over the coming weekend.

Brass (overall winner): Eilidh Boyd (Lossiemouth). Picture: Callum Mackay
Brass (overall winner): Eilidh Boyd (Lossiemouth). Picture: Callum Mackay

This year, the festival is entirely in-person at Inverness Methodist Church in Huntly Street for the first year since the pandemic.

Angus Madej came second in the Upper Strings Intermediate (Grade 3-4). Picture: Callum Mackay
Angus Madej came second in the Upper Strings Intermediate (Grade 3-4). Picture: Callum Mackay

Classes include traditional music, vocal, speech and dancing – with piano and strings among the categories judged last weekend.

Upper Strings Intermediate (Grade 3-4): Rebecca Cowie. Picture: Callum Mackay
Upper Strings Intermediate (Grade 3-4): Rebecca Cowie. Picture: Callum Mackay

Committee secretary Nick Speakman, a teacher at Dalneigh Primary School, said: “On Friday when we started, the church was full to the brim and though we had said there was no room for spectators, family and friends found any spare seats!

First in Grade 2 piano: Roan James. Picture: Callum Mackay
First in Grade 2 piano: Roan James. Picture: Callum Mackay

“We had two sessions on Saturday with piano in the main hall and strings in the lower hall. Adjudicators gave helpful remarks and it was a very positive experience after these opportunities disappeared.”

Public speaking: Innes Macdonald, Meadow Cameron and Ossian Ballance from Glen Urquhart High School. Picture: Callum Mackay
Public speaking: Innes Macdonald, Meadow Cameron and Ossian Ballance from Glen Urquhart High School. Picture: Callum Mackay

For the last two years, the event was online, before also going partly live last year.

First in Grade 6 piano: Fraser Donaldson. Picture: Callum Mackay
First in Grade 6 piano: Fraser Donaldson. Picture: Callum Mackay

The committee secretary – paying tribute to the hard work of the eight committee members and festival administrator Samara Hodi – said: “We hope it continues to grow, as the festival is such a valuable experience for youngsters in particular.”

Brass (back from left): Esther Magee (Dingwall Academy); Eilidh Boyd (Lossiemouth, overall winner), Catriona Magee (Dingwall Academy). Front from left: Rory Bain, (Tain Royal Academy), Evan Donaldson (Inverness Gaelic Primary School) and Violet Gunn (Tain Royal Academy). Picture: Callum Mackay
Brass (back from left): Esther Magee (Dingwall Academy); Eilidh Boyd (Lossiemouth, overall winner), Catriona Magee (Dingwall Academy). Front from left: Rory Bain, (Tain Royal Academy), Evan Donaldson (Inverness Gaelic Primary School) and Violet Gunn (Tain Royal Academy). Picture: Callum Mackay

It was decided before this year’s event that the volunteer-run festival would be held over two weekends – next weekend being the second part, returning from Friday to Sunday.

Grade 2 Piano: Innes Bennie, Isla Swanson, Iona Bradley, Chrissie Ross, Ava Skinner and winner Roan James (seated). Picture: Callum Mackay
Grade 2 Piano: Innes Bennie, Isla Swanson, Iona Bradley, Chrissie Ross, Ava Skinner and winner Roan James (seated). Picture: Callum Mackay

For full details of winners, visit: www.invernessmusicfestival.org


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