Chorus of support for world-class hall

Nov 21 2008 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BRIAN McAlpine of Session A9 has added his voice to the chorus of support for Perth Concert Hall’s nomination as Venue of the Year in the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.

Keyboard player with ‘Scotland’s Supergroup’ Session A9, which is nominated in the Scottish Folk Band of The Year category, Brian, who lives in Perth, said: “As a musician who has toured all over the world promoting Scottish traditional music, performing in such prestigious venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall, I cannot stress how important Perth Concert Hall is to the city of Perth and Scotland as a whole.

“Through the events, concerts and exhibitions which have taken place in our concert hall, audiences have had the chance to see, hear and experience acts from every continent. Because of the world-class nature of this venue, we are able to enjoy bands and performers, which up until now; we would have had to travel to Glasgow or Edinburgh to have any chance of watching.

“Perth Concert hall has brought our city to the attention of every world-class artist. It has brought top artists to our doorstep. This venue is already proving itself to be an essential part of our cultural lives by supporting local and national talent alike.”

When the nominations were announced, PA Arts highlighted the welter of Perthshire traditional musicians nominated for a range of awards.

Brian was also instrumental in the organisation of the Gordon Duncan Memorial Concert held at Perth Concert Hall and nominated in the Event of the Year category; Perth-based singer-songwriter Jim Malcolm and piping wizard Ross Ainslie (with Jarlath Henderson) are in the running in the Scots Singer of the Year and Live Act of the Year categories respectively; Stanley-based Bill Black Scottish Dance Band is nominated for Scottish Dance Band of the Year; Blackford Fiddlers are nominees for the Strathspey and Reel Society of the Year; and the Carse of Gowrie’s Patsy Reid is one quarter of Breabach, nominated alongside Session A9, Malinky and The Chair for Scottish Folk Band of the Year.

There is still just time to vote in the Scots Trad Music Awards. Voting closes at midnight tonight.

Votes can be registered online at www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards.

The winners in the sixth Scots Trad Music Awards will be announced at a gala concert in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on December 6.