Sweeping changes due to revolutionise the number of Gaelic speakers singing at two of its most prestigious competitions have been put on the back burner for a year – to allow choirs to understand and comply with the rules.
New rules, on the number of fluent Gaelic speakers in every premier choir, will mean one of the biggest shake ups in the two final choral competitions, the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield and the Lorn Shield at the Royal National Mod.
For years the Lovat and Tullibardine and the Margrat Duncan Trophy have generally been shared among a small number of choirs.
But in March, conductors and secretaries were given new rules to follow if they wanted choirs to sing at the Royal National Mod’s Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy, Lorn Shield and Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich.
Rule number 68 states: “The percentage rule in choral competitions has been replaced by a points system. This points system is to be reviewed annually.
“In 2018: 10 points be awarded for each gold card held; six points be awarded for each silver card held and three points be awarded for each bronze card held.
In 2018 that means choirs in the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield choirs must have 87 points, including seven gold cards, in the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy 2018 choirs must have a minimum of 43 points and no more than 86 points.
“Thereafter, the thresholds agreed each year will define which competition a choir should enter.”
John Morrison, chief executive of the Royal National Mòd, defended the rule change.
He said: “The rules for numbers of Gaelic card holders in choral competitions were discussed with the Association of Gaelic Choirs earlier this year, and changes were agreed by all parties.
“The number of fluent Gaelic speakers is key to the entry requirements for certain competitions, which are regularly reviewed and updated.
“A couple of unforeseen issues arose and, as such, The Mòd Standing Committee reviewed the changes and agreed that choirs could continue to enter competitions that they had entered in previous years, allowing for further consultation and discussion to take place with the Association of Gaelic Choirs.
“The Association of Gaelic Choirs will consult all member choirs to ensure that the views of all choirs are known. These views will then be used to shape future rule changes.
“No changes have been made for this year’s Mòd, or for the 2019 Mòd, and any proposed changes for forthcoming Mòds will be communicated at a later date following feedback from the Association of Gaelic Choirs.”