LATEST NEWS - Stirling Gaelic Choir in France

When Stirling Gaelic Choir won the open choral competition recently at Stirling's 50th anniversary Mod, they did not have much time to savour their success. A few days afterwards the choir set off for Embrun,in France, where they had been invited to take part in the 7ème Festival Européen de chant choral. To the delight of local inhabitiants, the choir showcased some of their Gaelic songs in the open air market in Embrun in the morning of Fri 25th May.
That evening,alongside choirs from France, Holland and Italy the choir took part in a concert in the local Salle des Fetes. The festival culminated with a sell out grand concert in Embrun's magnificent cathedral, followed by an excellent evening banquet,at which the choir presented Chantal Eyméoud, the Mayor of Embrun, with gifts from the City of Stirling. "We made many new friends and the choir were great ambassadors for Stirling and for Gaelic choral music" commented Choir President Donald Mackenzie. "We even had members of the French and Dutch choirs join us in some of our Gaelic songs during what was an unforgettable trip"
Stirlng Gaelic Choir meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Logie Kirk Hall, at Causewayhead.

Choir Members - Stirling Gaelic Choir

Conductor Jane McQueen
Gaelic Reader Anne Steven

Stirling Gaelic Choir was founded in 1948 and might more realistically be called the Central Scotland Gaelic Choir, as its 40 plus membership travel to rehearsals from Balfron to Kirkcaldy, Bonnybridge to Crieff and all parts in between.

Having won the Margrat Duncan Competition four times, the Choir graduated to the premier Senior Choir Competition, the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield which it won at Aviemore in 1969 along with the Ladies Choral Competition.

In more recent times, the Choir has won the Puirt-a-Beul Competition twice at the National Mod and has gained two First places for music in The Lovat and Tullibardine. The Male Voice Choir won the Cor Melbion Bro Glyndwar Trophy for highest marks in music on three occasions and the Ladies Choir gained a First equal for Gaelic.

Our conductor Jane McQueen hails from Islay and has sung for many years with the Glasgow Islay choir. She has had great success with the Islay junior choir who she still conducts and hopes that her senior choir will bring her similar positive results.

Anne Steven our Gaelic reader, lives in Perth where she teaches a Gaelic class at the local college. Formerly from Lewis, Anne is a retired teacher and has sung with the choir for many years.

Although fewer than 25% of the members are native Gaelic speakers, we all share a love of choral singing and an interest in preserving the Gaelic Language. Several choir members are learning the language through Ulpan, a new method of teaching delivered to us as a group by Cli Gaelic. We also had 6 members attend a week long course this summer at Sabhal Mor Ostaig the Gaelic college in Skye. All 6 gained a bronze card in 2010

The Choir has produced and encourages soloists, duets, quartets and folk groups, all of which have had a high degree of success: five Gold Medals, three Silver Pendants, and first and runner-up prizes in other competitions at National Mods.

The choir holds its annual concert each April where the Stirling Junior Gaelic choir are our guests. One of our altos, Lorna Duke is conductor of the Junior choir.

Over the years the Choir has performed on radio for the BBC and on television for both the BBC and STV. The Choir has also taken part in several civic receptions for visiting dignitaries on behalf of Stirling Council.