Shetland-Music.com

Christopher is probably best know as one of the founders of Fiddlers' Bid, but that's only part of the story as he tells us here:

Christopher Stout

"I grew up in Fair Isle until I was 7 years old where I caught my first glimpse of the fiddle when I was only 3! It was being played by my friend Ewan Thomson who was 7 years old at the time but has subsequently made the art of violin making his career. I now play two of his instruments, a fiddle and viola.

I took the opportunity to play classical music at school and played traditional music at home with my father who plays the accordion. He took me to play at the Accordion and Fiddle clubs which was my introduction to travelling round the halls in Shetland and gave me my first performance experience.

1990 was an important year. I moved schools and became friendly with other young musicians who were mainly fiddle players. This group of youngsters were given the name "Fiddlers' Bid". They enjoyed frequent afternoon sessions, possibly in place of classes such as maths or English with their teacher Willie Hunter. Countless concert experiences at coffee evenings and such like came rolling in.

In the same year I won Shetland's "Young Fiddler of the Year" competition for my traditional fiddling I also became Shetland's "Young Musician of the Year" for performing a classical repertoire. Having studied for a year with fiddle player Arthur Scott Robertson it was the advice of my classical tutor Teresa Mooreland that I should continue my studies on the mainland.

In 1991 I gained a place at the music school of Douglas Academy in Glasgow where I studied for a further 2 years before gaining a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. During this time I played most weekends with the popular singing group "The Clydesiders". This gave me a real appreciation and understanding of using the fiddle in an accompanying role to the voices. In retrospect it was probably my first opportunity to use the fiddle in an improvisatory style.

Throughout my studies at the RSAMD I became more fascinated and excited by contemporary classical music. As part of my degree I spent time working in an electro acoustic music studio. I completed my degree in classical violin and went on to do Masters in electro acoustic composition studying with the leading composer Alastair MacDonald. I was lucky enough to have one of my pieces released on a compilation CD of electro acoustic music featuring some of Britain's top composers in this field.

In 2000 I took part in a UK tour called "Fiddles on Fire" with fiddlers Dezi Donnelly (Manchester), Eliza Carthy (England) and Susanne Lundeng (Norway). This gave me my first independent break as a solo fiddle player on a national level.

Now a professional musician, I have put this eclectic musical experience to good use. I work with jazz musicians, including London based trombonist Annie Whitehead, drummer John Rae with his "Celtic Feet" band. I also work with saxophonist Phil Bancroft, Salsa Celtica and the 'Orquestra Scotland Brasil' 2003 collaboration.

I am in demand as an electro acoustic composer. I composed a piece for Phil Bancroft in 2002 which was performed as part of the UK tour "Double Helix". This was one of a number of professional commissions since leaving music college.

Having recorded on countless albums belonging to other people, I finally released my own musical thoughts in April 2004 on my debut solo album 'The First o the Darkening' which received a great number of positive reviews and nominations for national awards.

I now have my own quintet, performing my own compositions, and also record and tour as a duo with fellow Fiddlers' Bid member Catriona MacKay on clarsach.

Links

• Chris Agents
• Chris info
• www.fiddlersbid.com
• Chris and Fiddlers Bid on Greentrax
• Chris on Footstompin
• Chris Stout and Catriona MacKay on Footstompin