Highland harpist plucks top accolade

Abigail Millar-Todd, harpist and pupil at Fortrose Academy, was awarded Highland Young Musician of the Year 2015 at yesterday’s competition held in Inverness.

12 competitors, representing a wide range of instruments, worked over the course of the weekend and presented music to the judging panel at Sunday afternoon’s prelim round of the competition.  The judges then invited six of the musicians to perform their complete 15 minute programme at the evening’s public final.

The six finalists were: Abigail Millar-Todd (Fortrose Academy); Adam Forsythe (Grantown Grammar School); Lewis Clarkson (Millburn Academy); Zoe Hodi (Aberdeen City Music School); Hattie McGregor (Resolis Primary); Amber-Rose Ness (Inverness High School).

In addition to Abigail being awarded the winners accolade and the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence, Zoe Hodi (violin) was deemed runner-up and Hattie McGregor (cello) ‘most promising talent’.

All entrants for this competition are members of one or more of the Highland Young Musicians regional music groups, which are run as an extension to the work of Highland Council’s Instrumental Tuition Service.

The judges - Joan Gibson, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Ruth Rowlands, cellist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Professor Pete Stollery, from the University of Aberdeen, commented on the obvious dedication and high standards of all the competitors.  They were particularly impressed at the Council’s continued support of the musical development of Highland’s young people, affording them opportunities often not available in many other parts of the country.

The three winners prizes are donated by Friend of Highland Young Musicians and the competition is run by The Highland Council with generous sponsorship this year from Wallace Stone, Consulting Civil Engineers; JBT Distribution and Parcelinq.

Further information about The Highland Council instrumental tuition service and be found on the Council website and more information about Highland young Musicians groups and activities can be obtained at: http://www.highland-young-musicians.com/ or by contacting the Council’s Music Development Officer, Norman Bolton at norman.bolton@highland.gov.uk.  HYM are always keen to collaborate with any businesses willing to support the creative and musical development of Highland young people.

ENDS