The US Mòd was held on the last weekend of September, and we welcomed Anne Lorn Gillies, our adjudicator, as well as the Mòd gold medalists, DI Brown and Catriona MacNeil. We had competitions in poetry, storytelling, unison singing, choir, and our biggest competition, the US Gold Medal.

About the choir: a local choir has been established in Ohio, called the Ohio Gaelic Choir, and they have visited the Mòd many times before. While they didn’t have another choir to compete with them, they performed two songs for the Mòd, and they received adjudication, encouragement, and advice from Anne. Many people who heard them said they have really advanced through the years!

In the primary competition for the Mòd, at the end, Anne Alexander, who is also heavily involved in the Ohio choir, won the prize for the highest marks in the prescribed song category (one of the requisite competitions for the Gold Medal) and, finally, the Gold Medal itself. James Ruff, from New York, the two prizes as well, for the men. Congratulations to them both!

The Mòd chair, Michael Mackay, said, “This is our 29^th Mòd, and everyone who participated in the Mod exemplifies US learners – they are dedicated to the culture and language of the Gaels. The competitors come here, not just for the chance to win prizes, but to advance and strengthen their Gaelic and without them, the Mòd would not be nearly as good as it is. Anne Gillies has given them this advancement and strengthening to a very high standard, and we are much indebted to her. We are also indebted to An Comunn Gaidhealach for the support they give us each year.

We can’t wait until the 30^th Mòd!