Musicians
Reel Rhythm
By
Dec 8, 2003, 08:09

Reel Rhythm were formed about 8 months ago and comprise of Robert Menzies (Accordion), Scott Nichol (Second Accordion), Stephen Wallace (Keyboard) and Alison Menzies (Drums).  They have already had a broad range of playing experiences under their belts ranging from entertaining at the local rurals to competing at National Championships.  At the beginning of May Robert and the band won the Open Band Section at the Oban Music Festival.  Last month they won the Open Trios Section and were second in the Open Band Section at Perth Music Festival.  The band thoroughly enjoy playing together and offer a programme of Traditional Scottish Dance Music (for the keen dancers in the company) interspersed with more up-beat interpretations indicative of the traditional scene today.

The Band:

Robert Menzies is a 14 years old accordionist from Closeburn who also plays fiddle, drums and piano too.   He is a lad of no small achievements having been the Twelve and Under Champion for Scottish Music at the UK Championships last year and both a gold and silver medallist at the Royal National Mod.  He recently achieved the highest overall mark in the junior section of the Glasgow Music Festival and was invited to play at the finale concert.  Robert also was successful in being awarded the Bill Sharp Scholarship for promising young accordion players this year.  Robert intends to continue his music on through school and eventually hopes to secure a place at the RSAMD.

Scott Nichol hails from Pathhead in Midlothian.  Scott is on second box and he too is a talented young accordionist who also plays both piano and keyboard.  Music runs in Scott’s family.  His father, Jim Nichol, is well known for tinkling the ivories on the Scottish Dance Band Scene and Jim’s father had his own band.  Scott has won numerous prizes ranging from a Gold Medal for Piano last year at the Royal National Mod to winning the Junior Overall Championship at Musselburgh last year.  Scott is also well known for taking Perth Music Festival by storm, playing the tambourine and whistle at the same time during an upbeat samba version of The Flowers of Edinburgh.  Scott intends to pursue a career in engineering and hopes to continue his music as a hobby.

Stephen Wallace (17) from Thornhill plays classical piano, jazz piano, keyboards and fiddle.  He is a very talented musician who won the open jazz piano section at this years Glasgow Music Festival and achieved a bronze medal at the Royal National Mod last year.  Last year he played with the Nicky McMichen Band when they made their debut broadcast on the Scottish Dance Music Progamme “Take the Floor”.  They were so successful that they were invited back to give a second broadcast.  Stephen, together with Nicky’s Band, has just returned from visiting the Shetland Music Festival – a great musical and social experience.  Stephen intends to follow a career in forensic science and aims to continue his music socially. 

Alison Menzies (17) is also from Closeburn and is Robert’s sister.  She is on drums tonight but she also plays keyboard, piano and flute.  Alison has achieved competition success too by winning the gold medal for the 18 and under keyboard section at the Royal National Mod for three years running.  Her drumming skills have helped the band achieve first place in the Open Band Rhythm Section at both Musselburgh and Newton Grange Festivals this spring.   Alison and Stephen recently won through to the semi final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and spent a weekend in Newcastle performing in workshops and concerts.  Alison intends to follow a career in music and hopes to eventually teach percussion.