IONNSRAMAIDEAN AON-NEACH

Solo instrument competitions at the Mòd are a great chance for young musicians to perform for an audience. This can give them extra motivation to practice and learn new tunes. 

**Important** Enter the competition for your child's school year or age on 1 October 2024 (the time of the Royal National Mòd) - so, for example:

• age 12 in June 2024, but 13 by 1 October 2024, enter age 13-15 competition.

Yes, for solo instrument competitions, children can use sheet music during their performance.

For all solo instrument competitions (except fiddle) you must bring one spare copy of the sheet music on the day of the competition, so we can give this to the judge. Your child may not be able to compete if they don't bring this.

Please read the rules carefully regarding 'own choice' music. Children may receive a lower mark from the judges if their music choice is not in line with those rules.

Competitions for 2024:

• accordion or melodeon under age 13 (on 1 Oct 24) - own choice music but must be in the Highland / Gaelic / Piping idiom - max 4 minutes
• accordion or melodeon age 13-15 (on 1 Oct 24) - own choice music although March, Strathspey & Reel in Highland / Gaelic / Piping idiom is preferred - max 4 minutes
• accordion or melodeon age 16-18 (on 1 Oct 24) - own choice music although March, Strathspey & Reel in Highland / Gaelic / Piping idiom is preferred - max 4 minutes.

Competitions for 2024:

• chanter under age 13 (on 1 Oct 24) - play a 2/4 March OR a Gaelic Air - 2 parts only
• chanter age 13-15 (on 1 Oct 24) - play a 2/4 March OR a Gaelic Air - 2 parts only
• chanter age 16-18 (on 1 Oct 24) - play a 2/4 March OR a Gaelic Air - 2 parts only.

Competitions for 2024:

• bagpipes under age 16 (on 1 Oct 24) - play a 2/4 March OR Jig OR Strathspey and Reel - 4 parts
• bagpipes age 16-18 (on 1 Oct 24).

For age 16-18 bagpipes, you can opt to play:

• 2/4 March, Strathspey and Reel - minimum 4 parts each OR
• Hornpipe and Jig OR
• Piobaireachd.

Competitions for 2024:

• up to Grade 1
• grade 1 - max time 3 minutes
• grade 2-3 - max time 3 minutes
• grade 4-5 - max time 4 minutes
• grade 6 and above - max time 4 minutes.

Music is 'own choice' but must be of Scottish Gaelic origin.

Competitions for 2024:

• fiddle age 10 and under (on 1 Oct 24)
• fiddle age 11-12 (on 1 Oct 24)
• fiddle age 13-15 (on 1 Oct 24)
• fiddle age 16-18 (on 1 Oct 24).

Music is 'own choice' but must be in the Highland / Gaelic / Piping idiom.

Competitions for 2024:

• under age 13 (on 1 Oct 24)
• age 13-15 (on 1 Oct 24)
• age 16-18 (on 1 Oct 24).

Music is 'own choice' but must be in the 'traditional' music style.