Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail - The Royal National Mod

[Murchadh]

Déjà vu for Gold Medal winners

(I note with pleasure that Calum Kennedy's great-nephew won a Gold
Medal! - Murchadh. And Sheila - see who came third in the
Grampian TV Trophy: Còisir Ghàidhlig Thung - The Tongue Gaelic Choir!)


MURRAY MCLEOD
The Scotsman

HISTORY repeated itself at this year’s Royal National Mod in Oban when
two young Gaelic singers found themselves sharing the winners’ podium
- a full five years after both landed the junior prizes.

Darren MacLean, 20, from Dunvegan on Skye, and Jenna Cumming, 19, from
Inverness, yesterday captured the prestigious Gold Medals at this
year’s event, cementing their growing reputation as up-and-coming
Gaelic singers.

The two performers, who are both competent Gaelic speakers, won the
male and female Silver Pendants in the junior section at the 1998 Mod
in Skye.

For Mr MacLean it was very much a case of keeping it in the family.
His grand-uncle, Calum Kennedy, won the Gold Medal back in 1955,
before going on to become a household name. His aunt, Kristeen, won
the medal for traditional singing in 1989.

Speaking after winning the event, he said he wanted to dedicate the
award to his mother, Joan. "Twenty years ago my mother was to compete
at the Mod in Motherwell and young Darren was on the way," he
explained. "But I was three weeks early and she had to withdraw. So I
won this for her."

A student at the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama, he said:
"Hopefully I will be doing something to do with performing in the
future. The music industry is so hard, though, so we’ll just wait and
see what happens."

His fellow medallist, Miss Cumming, also shares a strong pedigree in
Gaelic singing. Last year in Largs she won the traditional medal and
her mother, Chrissie, is also a former winner of the traditional
prize, having won it in Oban 25 years ago.

"I’m totally shell-shocked," she said. "I can’t believe it. I have
achieved such a lot - so what’s next?"

Miss Cumming is currently studying to become a Gaelic teacher and,
although a promising future in Gaelic singing lies ahead, she has no
immediate desire to carve out a professional performing career. "Maybe
I’ll do a bit of both," she said. "Winning two medals is just the
start. But I’m studying at the moment so that’s where my attention
lies."

After the Gold Medal results, the focus of the Mod switched to the
popular traditional singing competition, which many hold in higher
regard due to the importance placed on the quality and depth of
language.

Both awards went to singers from the Isle of Lewis, with 50-year-old
Norman Smith landing the male prize and 24-year-old Morag MacLean
capturing the female accolade.

However, the event was almost over-shadowed by a moment of controversy
as the judges miscalculated the marks and at one point had three out
of the four male finalists on the same points.

They adjourned to re-consider the verdict after noticing their
mistake, with the winner eventually being named as Mr Smith.

Asked if he had any desire to enter the more prestigious Gold Medal,
he responded: "I doubt it. I actually prefer the traditional, but who
knows what will happen down the line."

A Gaelic teacher who lives in the north of Lewis, Mrs MacLean said she
had no huge ambitions of landing the Gold Medal. She has entered the
traditional section six times and, for the time being at least, wanted
to savour the taste of victory.

"I can’t believe it," she said. "I would like to thank my family for
all their support and also all the people back in Swainbost, my home
village."

With the individual competitions having wound to a close yesterday,
attention now turns to the choral events, with the main attraction
being the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, which is competed for this
afternoon.


Yesterday's results


ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Recitation of Own Poem: 1. Ailean Dòmhnallach, Cromarty. 2. Aonghas
MacNeacail, London. 3. F Ann MacLean, North Connel.

Recitation of Prescribed Poem: 1. Margaret MacKintosh, Inverness. 2.
Michael MacAoidh, USA. 3. F Ann MacLean, North Connel.

Recitation of Prescribed Prose: 1. Margaret MacKintosh, Inverness. 2nd
equal. Michael MacAoidh, USA., F Ann MacLean, North Connel. 3.
Christina M Cunningham, Cumbernauld.

Prose Reading: 1. Ailean Dòmhnallach, Cromarty. 2nd equal. Magaret
MacKintosh, Inverness, Michael MacAoidh, USA.

Glasgow Skye Association Gold Medal: Margaret MacKintosh, Inverness.

Cardonald Highlanders’ Association Cup: Margaret MacKintosh,
Inverness.

K.D. Smith Memorial Trophy: 1. Michael MacAoidh, USA. 2. F Ann
MacLean, North Connel.

Speech: 1. F Ann MacLean, North Connel. 2nd equal. Christina M
Cunningham, Cumbernauld, Ailean Dòmhnallach, Cromarty.


ORAL (LEARNERS)

Poetry Recitation: 1. Fiona MacLeod, Stornoway. 2nd equal. Judith
Anderson, East Kilbride, Laurie Boorman, Cambridgeshire.

Prose Recitation: 1. Laurie Boorman, Cambridgeshire. 2. Judith
Anderson, East Kilbride.

Prose Reading: 1. Laurie Boorman, Cambridgeshire.

Johanna Campbell Memorial Quaich: 1. Laurie Boorman, Cambridgeshire.

Dr John Cameron Memorial Quaich: Laurie Boorman, Cambridgeshire.


ORAL (FLUENT and LEARNERS)

Humorous Dialogue: 1.Fiona NicChoinnich and Judith Cummings, Dingwall.


Anglo Chilean Trophy: 1. John Vass, Dingwall. 2nd equal. Ailean
Dòmhnallach, Cromarty, F Ann MacLean, North Connel.


VOCAL SOLOS

Gold Medal Finals; (Women): 1. Jenna Cumming, Inverness. 2. Rhona
Morrison, Glasgow. 3. Fiona MacKintosh, Edinburgh. 4. Amanda Millen,
Glasgow; (Men): 1. Darren MacLean, Isle of Skye. 2. Gillebride Mac
‘Illemhaoil, Uibhist a Deas. 3rd equal. Torquil MacLeod, Isle of
Lewis, Lyle Kennedy, Stirlingshire.

Donald Thomson Prizes for Gaelic (Men): 1. Gillebride Mac ‘Illemhaoil,
Uibhist a Deas. 2. Darren Maclean, Isle of Skye. (Women): 1. Jenna
Cumming, Inverness. 2. Rhona Morrison, Glasgow.

Gilbert MacPhail Prizes for Music: 1. Darren Maclean, Isle of Skye. 2.
Gillebride Mac ‘Illemhaoil, Uibhist a Deas.

Mary Lamont Gold Medal; (Women): 1. Morag MacLean, Isle of Lewis. 2.
Kirsteen L NicDhòmhnaill, Inverness. 3. Iseabail Nic an t-Sagairt,
Lunnainn; (Men): 1. Tormod Mac a’ Ghobhain, Isle of Lewis. 2. Ailean
Dòmhnallach, Cromarty. 3. Calum Alex MacMillan, Isle of Lewis.

Scotia Trophy: Morag MacLean, Isle of Lewis.

Silver Pendant Final (Learners) (Women): 1. Audrey MacLeod Paterson,
Argyll. 2. Fiona Dunn, Kilsyth. 3. Anna Rothach, Port Glasgow. 4.
Linda McCallum, Gourock. (Men): 1. Dale Cummings, USA. 2. Alan Munro,
London. 3. Colin FIsher, Ayrshire. 4. John Howieson, Isle of Skye.

Morag Robb Memorial Salver for Gaelic: Anna Rothach, Port Glasgow.

John A MacRae Quaich for Music: Audrey MacLeod Paterson, Argyll

The Largs Trophy: 1. Iain Blàr, Gourock. 2. John Lindsay, Livingston.
3. Colin Fisher, Ayrshire.


RURAL CHOIRS

Lorn Shield: 1. Còisir Ghàidhlig an t-Srath. 2. Lochs Gaelic Choir. 3.
Còisir Mealabhaich.

Dalriada Cup for Gaelic: Lochs Gaelic Choir.

Captain Angus Stewart Trophy for Music: Còisir Mealabhaich.

Mrs Catherine C. MacDonald Silver Baton: Janet Ward

Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich: 1. Còisir Ghàidhlig Thaigh
an Uillt. 2. Còisir Ghàidhlig an Eilean Mhuilich. 3. Còisir Ghaidhlig
Tairbeart Loch Fìn.

Selma Shield for Gaelic: Còisir Ghàidhlig an Eilean Mhuilich.

Grace Robertson Memorial Baton: Còisir Ghàidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.

Grampian TV Trophy: 1. Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac. 2. Lochs Gaelic Choir. 3.
Còisir Ghàidhlig Thung.

Angus MacTavish Memorial Trophy for Gaelic: Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac.

Blairgowrie Rotary Club Trophy for Music: Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac.

Aline MacKenzie Memorial Trophy: 1. Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac. 2. Còisir
Mealabhaich. 3. Còisir Ghaidhlig Tairbeart Loch Fìn.

Calum Robertson Memorial Trophy for Gaelic: Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac.

Evelyn Huckbody Memorial Trophy for Music: Còisir Mealabhaich.

Hamish Graham (Strath) Trophy for Gaelic: Lochs Gaelic Choir.

Sandy Heron Cup for Music: equal Còisir Mealabhaich, and Còisir Sgìr
a’ Bhac.

Neil MacLean and Jenny MB Currie Trophy: 1. Doreen Sweeney and
Elizabeth Campbell, Glasgow. 2. Catriona MacNeill and Finlay MacNeill,
Glasgow. 3. Riona JI Whyte and Fiona D Jappy, Mull.

Marshall Stormonth Memorial Trophy: 1. Guth Siar. 2. Dìreach Seo. 3.
Cailleagan Chataibh.

[S Viemeister]

Post by Murchadh
Déjà vu for Gold Medal winners
(I note with pleasure that Calum Kennedy's great-nephew won a Gold
Medal! - Murchadh. And Sheila - see who came third in the
Grampian TV Trophy: Còisir Ghàidhlig Thung - The Tongue Gaelic Choir!)

Singing is still a part of life around Tongue, although not as much as
before television. I've heard some amazingly fine voices at local
gatherings.

Sheila

[Murchadh]

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 10:22:13 -0400, S Viemeister

Post by S Viemeister

Post by Murchadh
Déjà vu for Gold Medal winners
(I note with pleasure that Calum Kennedy's great-nephew won a Gold
Medal! - Murchadh. And Sheila - see who came third in the
Grampian TV Trophy: Còisir Ghàidhlig Thung - The Tongue Gaelic Choir!)

Singing is still a part of life around Tongue, although not as much as
before television. I've heard some amazingly fine voices at local
gatherings.
Sheila

Pick the best one and offer to manage him or her! You'd look great
leaning back in your leather chair with your feet on the desk, smoking
a Havana and telling the maid to move the awards more to the right!

[S Viemeister]

Post by Murchadh
Pick the best one and offer to manage him or her! You'd look great
leaning back in your leather chair with your feet on the desk, smoking
a Havana and telling the maid to move the awards more to the right!

Nah - I can't tolerate cigar smoke.

[Murchadh]

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 20:31:35 -0400, S Viemeister

Post by S Viemeister

Post by Murchadh
Pick the best one and offer to manage him or her! You'd look great
leaning back in your leather chair with your feet on the desk, smoking
a Havana and telling the maid to move the awards more to the right!

Nah - I can't tolerate cigar smoke.

No prob! Send me a box of Havana Hanavas and I'm yours for life! Of
course my lungs will be toast, but so what!

I once attended a dinner at which some young Cubans ladies were
guests. After dinner they all smoked Havanas. I was bowled over - I
thought they looked incredibly elegant!

[S Viemeister]

Post by Murchadh
I once attended a dinner at which some young Cubans ladies were
guests. After dinner they all smoked Havanas. I was bowled over - I
thought they looked incredibly elegant!

The young Cuban ladies I knew at school, would never have done such a
thing! Their chaperones wouldn't have permitted it.
The mother of one of my schoolfriends would sit at the side at our dances,
wearing a mantilla (she was VERY traditional). My mother generally
chaperoned at the dances, too, so Senora Gomez believed I must be a
suitable companion for her daughter - since I obviously came from a
respectable family.

Sheila

[Rick]

Post by S Viemeister

Post by Murchadh
I once attended a dinner at which some young Cubans ladies were
guests. After dinner they all smoked Havanas. I was bowled over - I
thought they looked incredibly elegant!

The young Cuban ladies I knew at school, would never have done such a
thing! Their chaperones wouldn't have permitted it.
The mother of one of my schoolfriends would sit at the side at our dances,
wearing a mantilla (she was VERY traditional). My mother generally
chaperoned at the dances, too, so Senora Gomez believed I must be a
suitable companion for her daughter - since I obviously came from a
respectable family.
Sheila

Yep. They can be prim and proper, to the nth degree!
I think it's a Spanish thing.... <G>

[Murchadh]

On Thu, 23 Oct 2003 22:58:25 -0400, S Viemeister

Post by S Viemeister

Post by Murchadh
I once attended a dinner at which some young Cubans ladies were
guests. After dinner they all smoked Havanas. I was bowled over - I
thought they looked incredibly elegant!

The young Cuban ladies I knew at school, would never have done such a
thing! Their chaperones wouldn't have permitted it.
The mother of one of my schoolfriends would sit at the side at our dances,
wearing a mantilla (she was VERY traditional). My mother generally
chaperoned at the dances, too, so Senora Gomez believed I must be a
suitable companion for her daughter - since I obviously came from a
respectable family.
Sheila

Ah well, my Cuban ladies were in London. Because they were smoking
cigars, several British ladies dining there decided to do the same and
for some weeks thereafter it was not unusual to see ladies smokng
cigars in fashionable restaurants around Picadilly. I guess these
mini-fashions happen all the time.

Hispanic society is very constrained, isn't it? I mentioned some years
ago an experience of "taking" a Spanish girl to the theatre where I
got to sit about six seats away from her, separated by aunts and
suchlike, all of whose tickets I was obliged to pay for. My reward
came later when I was permitted to stroll with her after the theatre,
with the aunts in tow a discreet ten yards behind us.

"Countrified" Greeks are very similar. I do remember being impressed
when visiting an island family who put me all alone in their best room
where I was served Greek coffee, baklava and the traditional glass of
water to cleanse my mouth between sips of coffee from a beautiful
brass tray by a pretty daughter dressed in traditional embroidered
waistcoat and long skirt.

I was most impressed by her serious concentration on catering to my
every need and the care with which she arranged everything and then
stood with the brass tray held against her and asked if there was
anything else I might like. I had a sudden feeling that this was a
girl I should marry!

After giving me twenty minutes alone to drink my coffee and eat the
baklava, broken once by her return to pour more coffee, her father
appeared and we got down to business. The impression of participating
in a ritual was quite overpowering and I found myself watching all I
said and did so as not to appear gauche.

In both cases the mood and atmosphere were entirely controlled from
beginning to end. When dealing with Mexicans and other Latinos I have
found this to be the same and indeed when I was young, Highland people
behaved like that; with everything structured and ritualized.