The Niel Gow International Fiddle Composition Award is launched in 2008 to encourage creative fiddle composition. Based in Scotland, it seeks to attract entries from the global village of writers/fiddlers. The melodies composed need not be in the traditional Scottish style (jig, reel, strathspey, air etc), however they should in some way evoke the spirit of Gow and his Highland Perthshire homeland.

Staged as part of the 4th Perthshire Amber Festival, it is hoped that this inaugural Award will mark the beginning of an annual event. Six finalists will be invited to perform their original melodies in Birnam, Perthshire on October 28th. The winner will receive an engraved trophy as well as a cash award of £1000. He or she will also be invited to perform the winning melody at Blair Castle during the following evening's concert as a guest of Dougie MacLean.

This event is sponsored by The Fiddle Tree, Birnam CD, Fiona Ritchie Productions (Radio & Podcasts from the heart of Scotland via NPR) and Butterstone Studios.

More Information about the Award and Submitting an Entry

The Niel Gow Fiddle Composition Award is for an original composition, performed on fiddle by the composer.
The Award is sponsored by Birnam CD, Fiona Ritchie Productions, The Fiddle Tree and Butterstone Studios.
Entry to the Award is open to all ages and nationalities.
Though there is no minimum length, the melody/composition must be no longer than 5 minutes. It should be recorded on fiddle with no accompaniment and must be performed by the composer him/herself. It should be submitted on disc, with the CD clearly marked with the composer's name and the tune title.
The closing date for entry is 31st August 2008 and entries should be posted along with printed, completed and signed entry form to: Niel Gow Fiddle Award, The Old Schoolhouse, Butterstone, Dunkeld, Perthshire, SCOTLAND, PH8 0HA
The six finalists will be notified then announced on the website www.nielgow.com on 30th September 2008.
The six finalists will perform their own composition at the Fiddle Tree Concert in the Baronial Hall, Birnam Perthshire on Tuesday October 28th 2008. There will be six judges (names to be announced).
The judges' decision is final.
There will be one winner (no runner-up).
The winner will be announced and the cash prize will be presented on the night.
The winning composition will be performed again and The Award Trophy will be presented the following night at Blair Castle.

For entry forms and more about the competition go to : http://www.nielgow.com