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Highland music festival's centenary year draws to a close after two weekends of music and dance


By Imogen James

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Curtis Craig Trophy finalists Joe Kelly, Emma Cameron, Violet Matheson (winner), Jason McClurg and Jean Bradley. Pictures: Gary Anthony
Curtis Craig Trophy finalists Joe Kelly, Emma Cameron, Violet Matheson (winner), Jason McClurg and Jean Bradley. Pictures: Gary Anthony

Events were in-person and online and this weekend the focus shifted to contemporary and classical music.

Highlights of the second weekend included the 100th premier competition where the Curtis Craig Trophy was up for grabs and the special centenary class for Uniformed Groups under 14.

Martha Brown in Upper Strings Elementary.
Martha Brown in Upper Strings Elementary.

The Curtis Craig trophy was created in 1994 in memory of Curtis Craig who organised the festival for many years.

It was won by Violet Matheson, who also placed first in open piano solo and classical/contemporary composition open.

Elizabeth Cowie winner of Jean Slater Shield with fellow musicians in Upper String Elementary.
Elizabeth Cowie winner of Jean Slater Shield with fellow musicians in Upper String Elementary.

Runners-up were Joe Kelly, Emma Cameron, Jason McClurg and Jean Bradley.

The weekend began with upper string elementary where the Jean Slater Shield was won by Elizabeth Cowie.

The young musician in Piano Grade 3.
The young musician in Piano Grade 3.

Lower strings elementary saw a joint first between Aoibhe Doorley and James MacGregor .

Festival chairwoman Jean Slater said: “It was wonderful to be able to run the festival live again while still keeping an element online. This format worked well for us and the participants. There was a wee bit of apprehension and anxiety in arriving to take part in live events but that soon disappeared.

Joint first for James MacGregor and Aoibhe Doorley in Lower Strings Elementary.
Joint first for James MacGregor and Aoibhe Doorley in Lower Strings Elementary.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the festival team for putting in a lot of hard work to make our centennial festival a success, the volunteers, adjudicators and accompanist.

Harp Improvers Bernadette Nicol, Ruby Grace maclennan, Aine Lambrakis and Jemma Sinclair.
Harp Improvers Bernadette Nicol, Ruby Grace maclennan, Aine Lambrakis and Jemma Sinclair.

“Thanks also to the Inverness area committee for the grant from the Common Good Fund, Loch Ness Pianos for loaning us a piano and the management committee of the Merkinch Community Centre. We are hoping to hold a centennial concert later this year.”


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