Ten finalists singing in various Celtic and Scots languages have been chosen by jury to perform at this year’s Nòs Ùr song competition in Inverness in June.  

Nòs Ùr, meaning 'new style' in Gaelic, is a Celtic and Scots language competition which will see performers vying for the honour to perform at a grand European final - Liet International minority languages song competition in The Netherlands in October.  First they must win the regional final being held on June 20th at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, Scotland. Judging is done by experts and via public vote on the night and on the internet.

Event organiser Brian Ó hEadhra said: "The number and diversity of submissions was amazing.  We received songs in Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots, Ulster Scots, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.  

“People often think that songs sung in these languages have to be folk or traditional in nature but this competition challenges this preconception.  We have all styles of music in the final including rock, pop, rap and acoustic from singers and bands across the Celtic and Scots regions.

“I think anyone who comes along on the night will be blown away at the level of musicianship and professionalism of the bands.  It certainly gives the Eurovision and the X Factor a run for their money!  

“A new aspect of the competition, in this its second year, is that under 16’s get in to the event for free.  This is to attract a young audience and hopefully encourage them to start writing in their native tongue, whether it be Gaelic, Scots or whatever. 

Other related events on the day will include a conference on minority languages hosted by UHI Millennium Institute, and a number of music industry workshops for teenage bands singing in minority languages.

The event is being staged by goEvents which promotes and develops creative arts in the Highlands and Islands. It is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council, Colmcille, Scottish Arts Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and MG Alba.

The finalists for Nòs Ùr 2009 are:

Àdhamh MacLeòid. Language: Scots. Song: Jist The Grain
Fiach. Language: Irish. Song: Sea Táim
Iwan B. Language: Breton. Song: Fulenn
Malachy Duffin. Language: Ulster Scots. Song: I Dinnay Gie a Hoot
Mary Ann Kennedy. Language: Scots Gaelic. Song: Mise Fhuair
Na Gathan. Language: Scots Gaelic. Song: Claigeann Damien Hirst
Phile Innes & Josie Boucharde. Language: Cornish. Song: Kernewek Ov Vy
Sunrise Not Secular. Language: Scots Gaelic. Song: Lasair An t-Oidhche
Masters in France. Language: Welsh. Song: Y Rhai Gwyllt
Enda Reilly. Language: Irish. Song: Mol an Aimsir  

All songs can be heard on the Nòs Ùr myspace site: www.myspace.com/nosur

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