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SCHEDULE AND RULES 2025

Elgin Strathspey & Reel Society

53rd Annual Festival of Scots Fiddle Music

 

to be held in

The Williamson Hall

27a Duff Avenue, Elgin

on

Saturday 26th April 2025

commencing at 9.00 am

 

Adjudicator – Gillian Stevenson

 

 

Please find below a schedule of the competition classes and the accompanying rules.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE ADDED A NEW CLASS FOR 13-16 YEAR OLDS –

CLASS 8: FREESTYLE MEDLEY. 

 

Entries to be be returned to the Festival Secretary at louisemclean56@gmail.com

 

Entries for Performance Classes should be e-mailed by Monday 21st April.

Entries for the Own Composition Class should be e-mailed by Saturday 5th April

 

In any class where there is only one entry, the adjudicator’s standards must be satisfied before an award can be made.

 

If you have any questions about the Festival please contact Louise McLean, the Festival Secretary on 07825 686 929 or at louisemclean56@gmail.com

 

 

Orchestral Competition & Concert

Elgin Parish Church, Moss Street, Elgin

formerly known as St Columba’s South Church

Saturday 26th April 2025 commencing at 7pm

Tickets are available from the Church Office in the Williamson Hall, from Cathedral Windows and from members of The Elgin Strathspey & Reel Society.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

 

 

 

We would like to thank Rotary Elgin and Cathedral Windows

for their continued support of the Festival.

​

Class 1:   9 years and under

Scottish Air and March - All tunes should be Scottish

Kim Murray Trophy

Medals for first three places

Bill Brian Memorial Trophy awarded to the most promising player in Class 1 or Class 2 who has not been awarded a medal.

Captain George Douglas Trophy awarded for the best individual performance by a resident of Moray who is 12 years and under

 

Class 2:   10-12 years inclusive

Scottish Air, March and Reel – All tunes should be Scottish

McKerron Cup

Medals for first three places

Pat Cameron Chambers Trophy awarded for the best Scottish Air

Bill Brian Memorial Trophy awarded to the most promising player in Class 1 or Class 2 who has not been awarded a medal.

Captain George Douglas Trophy awarded for the best individual performance by a resident of Moray who is 12 years and under

 

Class 3:   Primary Schools Orchestral

Own choice of tunes - All tunes should be Scottish

Maximum playing time 5 minutes

No limit on number or type of instruments

Members of the Orchestra do not have to come from the same school

Sound & Vision Trophy

 

Class 4:   Secondary Ensemble

Own choice of tunes - All tunes should be Scottish

Maximum playing time 5 minutes

This class is limited to fiddlers, with a maximum of 5 fiddlers in any group.  If desired, ensembles may also include one accompanying instrument.

Members of the Ensemble do not have to come from the same school

Frank Collins Trophy

 

Class 5:   Secondary Orchestral

Own choice of tunes - All tunes should be Scottish

Maximum playing time 5 minutes

No limit on number or type of instruments

Members of the Orchestra do not have to come from the same school

Fochabers Cup

 

Class 6:   13-16 years inclusive  -  March, Strathspey and Reel

March, Strathspey and Reel - All tunes should be Scottish

George Moir Trophy

Prize money:  1st  £20   2nd  £15.00   3rd  £10.00

 

Class 7:   13-16 years inclusive  -  Slow Air

Slow Air - All tunes should be Scottish

McDonald Cup, Rutherford Shield and Strathisla Shield

Prize money:  1st  £20

 

Classes 6 and 7

The Rotary Elgin Trophy will be awarded for the best individual combined performance in the 13-16 year old Classes by a resident of Moray.  The Andy McCormack Trophy will be awarded to a player showing great promise over both Classes 6 and 7 apart from the Class winners.

 

 

 

Class 8:   13-16 years inclusive  -  Freestyle Medley - New Class

Own choice of tunes – entrants are asked to play a medley of tunes written in a “Scottish idiom” and lasting no longer than 6 minutes.

In addition to playing skills, the adjudicator will also take account of the variety of the styles of the tunes included in the medley and the entertainment value of the set as a whole.  The adjudicator will keep an open mind on how individual tunes are played.

The Moray Gaelic Society Quaich

Prize money:  1st  £20   2nd  £15.00   3rd  £10.00

 

 

Class 9:   Senior (17 years and over)  -  March, Strathspey and Reel

March, Strathspey and Reel - All tunes should be Scottish

Entrants in this Class may not enter the Championship Class

John Barr Cochrane Trophy

Prize money:  1st  £25   2nd  £15.00   3rd  £10.00

The Maria Senk Rosebowl will be awarded for the best overall performance in Classes 9 and 10 by a member of the Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society.

 

Class 10:   Senior (17 years and over)  -  Slow Air

Slow Air - All tunes should be Scottish

Entrants in this Class may not enter the Championship Class

Elgin Town Council Cup

Prize money:  1st  £25   2nd  £15.00   3rd  £10.00

The Maria Senk Rosebowl will be awarded for the best overall performance in Classes 9 and 10 by a member of the Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society.

 

Class 11:   Senior Orchestral (17 years and over)

Own choice of tunes - All tunes should be Scottish

Maximum playing time 5 minutes

No limit on number or type of instruments

Duncan Pirie Cup

 

Class 12:   Championship Class (17 years and over)

Slow Air, March, Strathspey and Reel - All tunes should be Scottish

This Class is open to competitors who have previously won a first prize in an open solo competition at any festival.

William Macpherson Trophy

Prize money:  1st  £100   2nd  £50.00   3rd  £25.00

 

 

 

Composers’ Competition

Your entry for the 2025 Festival should be a Jig.

Entries should be e-mailed as an attachment along with the entry form and should be sent by Saturday 5th April.

The music attachment should include the name of the tune, but not the name of the composer.

If you are using a music-writing programme, please send a PDF copy.  If you are submitting a handwritten copy, please scan it rather than photographing it.

The Society reserves the right to circulate any tunes submitted to the Festival, publish them on its website and play them at its concerts.

Effie and Harry Glasgow Trophy

Prize money:  1st  £25

Elgin Strathspey & Reel Society, Elgin

Scottish Charity: SC028750.​

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