THE EVENT
See below for:
- About Nos Ur
- Rules & Frequently Asked Questions
- Application Form
About Nos Ur
The second Celtic and Scots Minority Languages Song Competition will be held in Inverness on 20 June 2009 as one of a number of regional finals held across Europe. The event is called Nòs Ùr which means ‘New Style’ in Scottish Gaelic, and languages encouraged to enter the competition are Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Irish Gaelic, Manx Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish and Breton.
There will be two winners of the competition who will be sent to the final of the pan-European ‘Liet International’ competition which will take place in Leeuwarden in Friesland, Nertherlands next October. One act will be chosen on the night by a public vote using web poll and paper ballot in the hall. The other will be chosen by a jury made up of members from the various language groups involved.
The contest is the only song competition of its kind in Europe and follows a similar format as the Eurovision Song Contest with singers and bands representing a particular country or in this case a minority language. The event will be recorded for televison and radio and will be broadcast live over the internet.
UHI Millenium Institute will hold an academic conference on minority languages at Eden Court on 20 June 2009 to tie in with the Nos Ur event.
There will also be a youth concert called Nòs Òg on the evening of Friday 19 June 2009, at Eden Court which will showcase some of the best up and coming teenage bands singing in the various Celtic and Scots languages. There will be workshops on the music industry for bands at Eden Court on the Saturday morning.
Event organiser and Inverness-based musician/arts consultant Brian Ó hEadhra will manage the project for goEvents who work in the promotion and development of the creative industries in the Highlands and Island of Scotland. The University of the Highlands & Islands Millennium Institute will be a partner organisation and hold an academic conference on the same day as the competition.
There will also be a youth concert called Nòs Òg on Friday night, 19 June 2009, at Eden Court which will showcase some of the best up and coming teenage bands singing in the various Celtic and Scots languages. There will be workshops on the music industry for bands on the Saturday morning, 20 June, at Eden Court. All welcome.
There are a number of sponsors and supporters of Nos Ur including: Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Bord na Gaidhlig, Scottish Arts Council. More to follow...
Aims and Objectives:
- Foster new writing by artistes of all ages in the various Celtic & Scots languages
- Develop links and dialogue between artists and related creative industries within Western Europe
- Encourage and increase cultural tourism where the event takes place
- Promote and encourage the use of indigenous minority languages
- Strengthen the image and self worth of minority language speakers
- Provide economic opportunities and development for artistes and creative industries.
- Promote the region to a wide audience through media and public/private sector interest.
- Develop co-operation and interaction between academic institutions and minority linguistic communities.
- Increase knowledge and skills in local and international event management in the private and public sector.
Rules & FAQ's
What is it?
Nòs Ùr is the first Celtic and Scots languages Song Competition. This is a regional final for the Liet International pan-European minority language song competition which takes place in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands in October 2009. goEvents runs the Nòs Ùr event and works in the promotion and development of the creative arts in the Scottish Highlands & Islands. It also fosters links and opportunities for those working in the creative industries in the Highlands & Islands on an international level.
Where is it?
It will take place in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland
When is it?
The competition will take place on the evening of 20 June 2008. Finalists will arrive on Friday 19 June and return home on Sun 21 June.
Who can enter?
Anyone eighteen years or older can enter as long as their song is sung in a Celtic or Scots language (or related dialect). Languages: Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Irish, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Breton. There is a maximum of five people who can perform in a band. 11 acts will be selected to perform at the Nòs Ùr event. Details will be made known in early April.
How can I enter?
Fill out an application form (below) accompanied with the lyrics of your song (with a translation into English or French) and a recording of your song on cd or mp3. Applications will be accepted from 01 December 2008 - 29 February 2009. Nos Ur finalists will be announced in early April 2009. Only one song accepted per entrant. Entering a song into the competition is free.
What style of songs are accepted?
Any style is accepted – rock, folk, pop, etc. The song should not last more than 3.5 mins. The song must be original and preferably not commonly known to the wider public.
Who judges the competition?
There will be seven judges present at the competition. Each will represent a minority language, be independent, and will have a background in music and/or minority languages.
What is the prize?
Two song winners will be selected to attend the Liet International European final competition in Friesland, Netherlands in October 2009. The judges will select one song as the jury winners. The public will also be able to vote on the night by web poll and paper ballot in the hall. The highest number of votes from the public will select the public winners. Past winners have received substantial media and industry attention.
How can you afford to travel to and stay in Inverness?
goEvents will book and pay for transport (up to £500) for any band coming outwith the Highland area. goEvents will provide accommodation for artists in local hotels/B&B's. There will be a small sum of money given to each artist to buy a meal each day.
Application Form
Please click on the link below to download application form. MS Word.
Once you have fully filled out this form please return the application form, lyrics and recording by email (preferred option)
Or send application form, lyrics & cd to:
Brian Ó hEadhra, Nòs Ùr – Manager, Anam Communications, 3 Pine Drive, Inverness, IV2 4NT, Scotland, UK
| Nos Ur Song Application Form |