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Six of Scotland's finest young musicians battled it out last night, Sunday 31 January, in the grand final of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician Of The Year awards 2010 at Glasgow's City Halls.

Presented by Mary Ann Kennedy and broadcast live on Radio Scotland as part of the Celtic Connections festival, the winner was announced as Daniel Thorpe from Inverurie who won the coveted title with his fiddling performance.

Daniel was delighted with his musical accolade: "I am absolutely delighted and surprised. I'm still coming to terms with winning, I've got a permanent smile on my face and I think it'll be there for the next three weeks!"

Brought up with traditional music, Daniel has been involved with many groups including the Garioch Fiddlers. He studied traditional music in Plockton before graduating with honours from the RSAMD. He is now performing with ceilidh band Heuch and Canterach with whom he has performed all over Europe. He has been involved in many collaborations and has been chose by AIYF to represent them at the International Festival for Emerging Artists.

Established to encourage young musicians to keep their traditional music alive, the Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Of The Year award will provide Daniel with high-profile performance opportunities; the opportunity to record a CD of his music; and the necessary tools and advice he requires to launch a career in traditional music, among other benefits.

All the finalists get one year's membership of the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA); a tour of Scotland organised by the TMSA; and a session on Radio Scotland's Travelling Folk programme, presented by Archie Fisher.

Jeff Zycinski, Head of Radio, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Scotland, and Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop presented the winner with his trophy live on air and in front of an applauding audience.

Jeff Zycinski said: "It was a great night with a truly fantastic line-up of young musicians. We had listeners across Scotland and around the world waiting to hear the judges' decision. The excitement around this event never fades and Daniel now becomes the tenth person to hold the title of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland Young Musician Of The Year. All the previous winners have gone on to enjoy great success and I'm certain that will be true for Daniel."

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said: "Congratulations to Daniel on this wonderful achievement. This award is hugely important in making sure we recognise and nurture the talent of young traditional musicians in Scotland. The traditional arts are absolutely central to Scottish culture and that is why the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring arrangements are in place to enable them to continue to make a positive contribution to Scotland's cultural, heritage, economic, educational and community life."

Radio Scotland has supported the Young Traditional Musician Of The Year Awards since it launched in 2000. For past competitors, winning the title has proved to be a major springboard towards a professional career in music with previous winners including Red Hot Chilli Pipers musician Stuart Cassells (2005), gaelic singer James Graham (2004) and guitarist Ewan Robertson (2008).

JW4