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The wfa organised a Young Folk Musician of the Year Award for five years. However the last was held in 2002 on the 16th February at The Arts Centre, Swindon. It was supported by BBC Wiltshire Sound, Swindon Arts Community Fund and Hobgoblin Music. |
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The Wiltshire Folk Association's FIFTH Young Folk Musician of the Year Award took place on Saturday 16th February 2002 and again reached the high standard hoped for. This year the venue was the Swindon Arts Centre and it proved to be very different from the previous Bradford Music Centre. Many of the contestants found it "cool" to be able to get together in a friendly environment with each other and it helped to reduce the tension beforehand. We were fortunate enough to have the wide experience of the judges - Isla st Clair, Sarah Morgan, Tim Van Eyken, John Harris and Tony Worgan (the BBC Wiltshire Sound Director). They had a very hard time to decide the winners because of the high performance standard. The younger age group was WON by the trio KERFUFFLE from Derbyshire. They were Sam Sweeney (fiddle), Tom Sweeney (acoustic bass guitar) and Hannah James (accordion) playing a selection of Celtic and European tunes and songs. Sam was a previous winner as a solo artist. In SECOND place was JAMES BOYLE playing traditional English, Irish and Scottish Fiddle music. Whilst in THIRD place RACHAEL ELLIOT, again with violin, played some lovely traditional folk and Irish tunes. In the older age group we were treated to some wonderful English traditional folk harmony songs by the WINNERS, THE TABBUSH SISTERS, originally from the London area. In SECOND place. FRANCESCA FORD with unaccompanied songs was a complete contrast and wonderful to hear. In THIRD place DAMIAN ETHERINGTON from Pembroke with vocal guitar. The Concert in the evening, wonderfully compered again by Shirley Ludford of BBC Wiltshire Sound, was enthusiastically received by the audience although the venue was hardly full. Gyenya Cambray a previous winner opened and was able to set the pace and standard for the winner's performances. Their high standard continued and was climaxed by guest artists Tim Van Eyken and Robert Harbron. Their musical renditions on melodeon and concertina awe-inspiring. They were exactly the right artists for the young performers who were invited to join them for several final joint sessions. All well worth hearing. For an update on any future contests please keep visiting this website or contact Doug May on 01980 625019, or e-mail doug.may for details. The Swindon Arts Centre was the venue for the fifth annual Young Folk Musician Award. Run by the Wiltshire Folk Association, the competition is held to provide an opportunity for young performers to develop their talents in the folk idiom and for the winners to perform before an audience. At the evening showcase concert the best selected from the heats during the day performed to a high standard and the audience were treated to varied programme of traditional medleys and original material. The older age group (18 to 25 years) winners were The Tabbush Sisters Trio, originally from the London area, with some wonderful English traditional folk harmony songs. The under 18 group was won by the trio Kerfuffle from Derbyshire, led by Sam Sweeney on fiddle with Tom Sweeney on acoustic Guitar and Hannah James on Accordion. Although only twelve years old the maturity and confidence of their performance was a fine example for any age. Sam was a winner as a solo fiddle player last year. The winners are offered further appearances at both Chippenham Folk Festival and the Village Pump Trowbridge Festival later in the year as well as an opportunity to appear on BBC Wiltshire Sound and use their vouchers supplied by Hobgoblin Music. Wiltshire Sound's Shirley Ludford compered the evening showcase concert and as well as performances from the winners there was music from previous winner Gjenya Cambray and guest artists Tim Van Eyken and Robert Harbron - both well renowned in the folk world for their excellent combination playing on Concertina and Accordion. Previous winners of this competition have reached the finals of the BBC 2 national Young Tradition Awards. Which is very encouraging for future contestants. For more information telephone Geoff Elwell 01225 703650 or visit the web site www.wiltsfolka.fsnet.co.uk
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