‘All the positivity makes it worthwhile’ for Caithness Music Festival organisers
Convener Marjory Richard was “blown away” by the quality of some of the performances at this year’s Caithness Music Festival.
“It was an absolutely amazing week,” Mrs Richard said after the ever-popular annual event drew to a close on Friday.
“I can’t believe how much talent we’ve got here. Some of the voices, and ability with instruments, have just blown me away. It’s just fantastic, I’m absolutely delighted.
“This is what keeps us going – even through all the negative comments we get, all the positivity that comes out makes it worthwhile.”
The 2025 festival again involved around 2500 competitors across all classes. Almost all the Caithness primary schools took part, along with many from north Sutherland, and there were good numbers in the adult sections too.
Festival secretary Audrey MacKinnon said: “It was another successful week with some wonderful music, poetry and drama from everyone who learned their pieces so beautifully.
“The adjudicators were delighted with the standard of performances all week, from five-year-olds to older performers.”
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The highest mark during the week was 90, awarded four times – to Thurso High School Choir, Charlie Denley Spencer, Caalin Rosie and Jamie Mackay.
The winners’ concert will take place on Monday night.
Results – Friday: Sunday school groups: 1 Wick Baptist Church Sunday School.
Girls’ choir: Tutti Toots Choir.
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Primary school, P1-3: Castletown P1-3.
Rural schools: 1 Castletown P4-7.
Sunday school choirs: Wick Baptist Church Sunday School.
Secondary school choirs, two or more parts: 1 Thurso High School Choir; 2 Wick High School Show Choir.
Secondary schools, Scots song: Thurso High School Choir.
Larger groups, any instruments: 1 Castletown P5/6.
Primary schools, Scots song: Dunbeath (whole school).
Chanter, 10 years and under, march, 2-part: 1 Kyle Chambers, Noss.
Chanter, 11 primary, or secondary: 1 Emme Spence, Thurso High; 2 Robyn Speirs, Thurso High; 3 Bastian Campbell, Miller Academy.
Bagpipes, march, 2x2-part or 4-part, primary schools: 1eq Jamie Mackay, Watten, and Caalin Rosie, Newton Park; 3 Ollie MacDonald, Newton Park.
Bagpipes, march, 2x2-part or 4-part, secondary: 1 Liam Davidson, Thurso High; 2eq Will Fryer and Andrew Sinclair, both Wick High.
Bagpipes, strathspey and reel, 4-part or 2x2-part strathspey and 2x2-part reel: 1 Andrew Sinclair, Wick High; 2 Liam Davidson, Thurso High; 3 Will Fryer, Wick High.
Trophies – Flo Dixie Cup: Castletown P1-3. Henrietta Sinclair Shield: Castletown P4-7. Thurso West Cup for Sunday schools: Wick Baptist Church Sunday School.
Wick Old Parish Shield: Thurso High School Choir. Wick Junior Choir Cup: Thurso High School Choir. Ferguson Shield: Castletown P5/6. Lady Jessamine Harmsworth Shield: Dunbeath.
Practice Chanter Shield, primary: Kyle Chambers. Practice Chanter Shield, secondary: Emme Spence.
Bagpipes Shield for march, primary: Jamie Mackay and Caalin Rosie (joint winners). Piping Challenge Shield for march, secondary: Liam Davidson. Bagpipes Shield for strathspey and reel, secondary: Andrew Sinclair.
Hamilton Shield: Caithness Wind Band. Treble Clef Trophy: Andrew Harper. Viscount Thurso Cup: Tutti Choir.
Rotary Club of Wick Cup: Clemency Crow. Lobban Shield: Clemency Crow.
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