Choir Members - Còisir Ghàidhlig Bharraigh

Còisir Ghàidhlig Bharraigh was re-established in January 2015 by Music & Gaelic Teacher Lisa MacNeil. Lisa led the choir from January 2015 until January 2022. Music Teacher Sheila Cunningham originally formed the choir in the 1990s. The choir participated in several Mòds at the time before stopping.

Since February 2022, John Joe MacNeil has taken over as the conductor of the choir. John Joe works as a Lecturer in Gaelic Medium Education at the University of Edinburgh. He conducts Oban Gaelic Ladies Choir and a new contemporary choir – Binneas. He also sings with Oban Gaelic Choir. Previously, he has been a member of Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir and Lochaber Gaelic Choir. He was also the conductor of Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir. He is also a choral arranger.

Ishi MacLean is the choir’s Gaelic reader. Ishi has been in post since February 2022. Ishi is a Gaelic Teacher in Sgoil Bhàgh a’ Chaisteil. Prior to her appointment, Mary Liz MacKinnon, Mary Catherine MacLean and Sineag MacKinnon have supported the choir with the Gaelic language.

The choir has around 30 members with the majority of members fluent or competent learners of the language. Practices are held on Zoom every week with a live Saturday workshop every six weeks on Barra.

The choir has performed locally at various events including the local Mòd and many cèilidhs.

In their debut year, the choir was delighted to be placed in 3rd place in the Lorn Shield at the National Mòd in Oban in 2015. The choir went on to win the competition in their second year.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please email our conductor at barrachoir@gmail.com.