Trad grad trio win at folk music ‘Oscars’

Published: 13/12/2020

A trio of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduates and a former tutor have won top traditional music awards in a ceremony dubbed the ‘folk Oscars’.

Graduates Rebecca Hill, Siobhan Miller and Josie Duncan were recognised in last night’s  MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, broadcast on BBC ALBA in a special programme named Na Trads 2020. Rebecca was named Up and Coming Artist of the Year. Siobhan Miller won Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year and graduate Josie Duncan collected the Music Tutor of the Year award.

Additionally, Hamish Napier, who taught at RCS for many years, won Album of The Year for The Woods.

RCS students, staff and alumni were nominated across many of the twelve award categories. The BA (Honours) Traditional Music degree is the only one of its kind in the UK dedicated to traditional and folk music.

Professor Joshua Dickson, Head of Traditional Music, said: “It was wonderful to see so many students, graduates, colleagues and friends nominated in this year’s awards – well done to all the nominees whose music has uplifted us in this challenging year.

“Congratulations to Becky (Rebecca), Josie, Hamish and Siobhan on their well-deserved award wins and for their dynamic and significant contribution to Scotland’s traditional music culture.”

The awards, usually a live annual event, was broadcast on BBC ALBA in a vibrant programme hosted by Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy. There were special recorded music performances from some of traditional music’s top luminaries – many of whom trained or teach – on the Traditional Music programme at RCS, including Jenn Butterworth, The Iona Fyfe Trio, Project Smok, Deirdre Graham, Jarlath Henderson, Karen Matheson and Phil Cunningham.

The awards will be shown again on BBC ALBA at 9pm on Saturday, December 18 and will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days.

Ealasaid MacDonald, Director of Strategy & External Affairs at title sponsors MG ALBA, which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, said: “Once again, the Trads has showcased the best of creativity and talent across Scotland. MG ALBA would like to congratulate all those who have taken part, those nominated and the winners, as they have been part of a very different year where music has been an essential part of all our lives. We are delighted that Hands Up for Trad has brought us all together for this wonderful opportunity to celebrate the best of traditional music.”

Organising body Hands Up for Trad was formed in 2002 and exists to increase the profile and visibility of Scottish traditional music through information, advocacy and education to artists, participants, and audiences.

WINNERS

Album of The Year, sponsored by Birnam CD

The Woods by Hamish Napier

Original Work of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music

Everyday Heroes by Skerryvore

Community Music Project of the Year, sponsored by Greentrax Recordings

Tunes in the Hoose

Event of the Year Award sponsored by VisitScotland

BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 20th Anniversary Concert (Celtic Connections)

Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by The Highland Society of London

Fionnag NicChoinnich (Fiona MacKenzie)

Musician of the Year, sponsored by the University of the Highlands and Islands

Tim Edey

Online Performance of 2020, sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust

Duncan Chisholm’s Covid Ceilidh

Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA), for artists singing in Scots language

Siobhan Miller

Trad Video of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound

Calum Dan’s Transit Van by Peat & Diesel

Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Anna Massie – Black Isle Correspondent

Up & Coming artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Rebecca Hill

Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative

Josie Duncan

Find out more about studying on the BA (Honours) Traditional Music programme at RCS.

Find out more about studying on the BA (Honours) Traditional Music programme at RCS.