Two of the island’s young musicians are already enjoying a successful 2018, after they found out that they have been included in the shortlist of one the UK’s most prestigious music awards.

Fiddle player Isla Callister-Wafer and harpist Mera Royle have both been included in the 10 acts that will attend a residential weekend, under the tutelage of two top UK musicians later this month.

After the two-day course of sessions, music and writing workshops, the 10 acts will perform at a concert at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, with the final four acts being chosen to contest the Young Folk award at the grand finals of the BBC2 Folk Awards at the Royal Albert Hall.

Isla, 20, who is studying traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has been nominated as part of her band Trip.

She said the place at the weekend course has come as a surprise, as she was unaware her band had been entered.

’I didn’t even know, but we were entered by our accordion player, Michael Biggins,’ said Isla.

’It is quite cool, and very interesting, with both me and Mera Royle nominated. It is a really diverse and a very interesting competition, and there are some more blue-grassy type bands involved, not just trad folk. We’ll just have to see how it goes.’

Mera, 18, said that she applied to be considered after encouragement from her tutor, Rachel Hair.

’I sent of an audio clip of myself playing, not expecting anything of it,’ she said.

’When I found that I was chosen, I was really quite shocked. And very chuffed.

’I’m nervous about it, as I have never done anything like this before, but it will be an amazing opportunity. And it is great that Isla is going, as there will be someone there that I know.

’But, although I am nervous about going to Kendal, I will be able to meet and play with a lot more people who like playing the same thing as me.’

The eventual winners will perform live at the Royal Albert hall, live on television, although that is a long way off, and both musicians are not looking that far ahead.

’I’m not too worried about that though,’ said Mera.

’I am just happy that to be included at this stage. I think I have done enough now just to be proud and satisfied with where I am.’

The weekend begins on Friday, January 26, with the final concert taking place on Saturday. Mera and Isla will join groups and solo artists from Ireland, Scotland and England and work with Eliza Carthy MBE and Tim Van Eyken, two of England’s biggest names in folk music.

’Essentially, at this stage, just going to Kendal, is the final, as far as most of us are concerned,’ said Isla.

Both musicians have enjoyed a very busy 2017. Mera is part of two groups, the harp group Claasagh and Scran, a group formed from the ’Bree’ youth trad music workshop, which Isla was also a member of prior to her moving to Glasgow.

Trip, which Isla formed along with five other students at the Conservatoire, have played some memorable concerts over the course of last year, and are currently working on material for their first release later this year.

’We played at Sligo Live last year, which was really good fun, as we got to play a load of pub gigs and sessions, which were great fun,’ said Isla.

’We also got to support Sharon Shannon, as her special guests, which is by far the biggest gig any of us have done in our short careers so far.

’We played at Shennagys Jiu last year, and then at Cyclefest, both on the island, which were both really great gigs. They were the first time we’d been out of Glasgow together, and we had such a positive response.

’It was a really good year for Trip last year, and hopefully this one will be even better.’

Scran are also working on releasing an album later this year.

Dr Chloe Woolley, the Manx music development officer for Culture Vannin, who runs the Bree workshops, said the island should be proud of their achievements.

’Mera and Isla have grown up surrounded by traditional music and culture, through their primary schools and groups like Bree and Ny Fennee, and as active members of the wider music community,’ she said.

’With their genuine passion for promoting Manx culture, they are an inspiration to the younger generation, and the island should be very proud of them.

’It is an amazing achievement to be selected for this course, and to have the chance to appear at the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, and we wish them the best of luck.’

by MIke Wade

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