Pipers and drummers haul in Scots Trad Music Awards

The 2010 Scots Trad Music Awards gala at the Perth Concert Hall in Perth, Scotland, was a night that put a spotlight on piping and drumming, with three major awards going to artists with piping as their focus.

The most prestigious award of the night went to the late Gordon Duncan, who was inducted into the Scottish Music Hall of Fame. Duncan, who is often referred to as “Scotland’s National Treasure,” was a prolific and innovative composer during his short life, leaving a substantial mark on the Celtic folk music scene. His compositions and arrangements opened the door for a new genre of pipe music composition, and his legacy carries on with the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, which annually organizes piping events and charitable fundraising for piping causes.

The award for Scottish Folk Band of the Year went to the Oban High School Pipe Band of Oban, Scotland. The band enjoyed a highly successful competitive season, winning the Novice grade at the 2010 World Pipe Band Championships, among other prizes. The community-based band is managed by the renowned piper, Angus MacColl.

In the “Live Act of the Year” category, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers hauled down the big prize, the “bagrock” band’s second time winning the award. The Chillis last won the prize in 2007, and this year’s award comes on the heels of the release of their latest CD, Music for the Kilted Generation.

The Scots Trad Music Awards are determined by popular vote, with finalists selected by a panel of experts. The gala was held on December 4, 2010.