Castle Fraser, 9th December 2009

In the Grand Hall, we entertained an audience with a combination of Carols and a couple of pieces from the Bach's Christmas Oratorio which will be sung in our forthcoming Christmas Concert, "An Evening of Christmas Music", on 17th December 2009 at the Acorn Centre, Inverurie at 7.30 pm.

Although we had 3 call offs at short notice due to this "bug" that seems to be doing the rounds at the moment, the choir gave their best with a pleasant selection of musical pieces. Moira was struggling with a croaky voice sadly was unable to vocally assist us as she usually does.

After the concert, which seemed to be well received, the NTS provided mulled wine and minced pies to all who attended the concert.

A postscript. For the back of our folder, I was asked if I could get a picture of Castle Fraser in the snow so I "googled" the request and came up with the lovely picture taken by Simon Harbord from the air. To those interested, the picture was taken from a kite. If anyone is interested in photography, I can recommend Simon's website http://www.harb85.freeserve.co.uk/ where you can find all the technical aspects of Kite photography

Again, thank you Simon for letting us use your picture for the Castle Fraser Carol Concert

10th Anniversary Concert - Inverurie Town Hall, Saturday 7th June 2008

MAGNIFICAT by John Rutter
BENNACHIE by John Hearne
MISCELLANY 

Inverurie Choral Society conducted by Moira Hunter (Musical Director)

 Inverurie Choral Society celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with a concert containing pieces old and new.   The Town Hall was full to hear the Magnificat by John Rutter, the premiere of Bennachie by John Hearne and a selection of other pieces performed by the choir, with Gillian Jack (soprano) and Blair Cargill (piano). 

John Rutter is well known as a choral composer.  This setting of the Magnificat dates from 1990 and contains movements of contrasting styles.  In this performance, the more reflective movements, some with the soprano soloist, sounded better than the more robust movements. 

John Hearne, a renowned composer, lives locally and his setting of words by James S Wood was a 10^th Anniversary commission by the Society.  The poem Bennachie is a reflection on the writer’s love of and involvement with the hill immediately by Inverurie.  The choir obviously enjoyed singing the deceptively simple melodies and rhythms, which sometimes seemed to be a musical alliteration to the words.  It finished with a gloriously majestic ending to match the scenery.  Dr Woods’ relatives, some present in the audience, must have enjoyed this performance.  It was imaginatively prefaced with the O gin I were where Gadie rins in the arrangement by Tom Johnston. 

The rest of the concert consisted of pieces selected from the last ten years of performances.  These demonstrated the impressive range of the choir, singing in several languages and also unaccompanied, from the well-known setting of Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart and an excerpt from The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins to a vocal version of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius and the popular number, Vilia from The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar. 

The audience had to sing for its supper as well – in an infectious arrangement of a Russian song, Kaleenka, by the conductor, Moira Hunter! 

The evening was an enjoyable success, even if the choir was occasionally stretched by some of the difficult technical demands of the Magnificat.  People left the hall humming the many beautiful melodies performed for us. 

The Aberdeenshire Singing Festival - Mackie College, Stonehaven - Saturday 15th March 2008

A total of eight choirs took part in the 2008 Aberdeenshire Singing Festival which was held this year at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven.  Inverurie Choral Society, The Spectrum Singers of Kemnay, and Peterhead Choral Society represented the Northern area.

Other choirs came from Stonehaven itself, Aberdeen and Deeside.

This annual event celebrated its twentieth anniversary on this occasion and by popular acclaim the guest conductor was Mike Brewer who is the Director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.  Mike is a very busy chap and before getting up on the rostrum to lead a master class of the eight choirs, he had literally just flown in from Australia just twenty-four hours previously and still found time to take a class at Cults Academy on the Friday. Again to considerable appreciation.

The afternoon took the form of a master class by Mike at which we all sang two chorales from Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Awake the Harp from Haydn’s Creation and a vigorous and exciting introduction to an African chorus of Hamba Lulu.  To get a couple of hundred, eager yet slightly nervous North East singers to throw away their reserve and really immerse themselves into the latter was a feat in itself.  A feat truly accomplished.

In the evening we had the concert which included the rehearsed items plus the party pieces from each of the choirs.  The range of music was eclectic. Abba numbers (Banchory Singers) rubbed shoulders with Barbershop (Granite City Chorus).  Stonehaven impressed with Ave Maria in Russian by Rachmaninov as well as Onward Christian Soldiers (in Welsh!).  A formerly all female group The Linties from Tarland who now admit men sang Italian, African and Robert Burns numbers!

Peterhead, a choir established for over 100 years entertained with madrigals and traditional Scottish airs.

It fell to the newest choir the Spectrum Singers to impress with an interesting variation of Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and Alshlosha D’Varim from the Jewish Morality tales.  This group is based at the Community centre in Kemnay and is in their second year.

For us in the Inverurie Choral Society which celebrates ten years in June, we opened with The Hymn Before Action from Karl Jenkins, a really rousing piece, before tackling Magnificat Anima Mea from John Rutter’s Magnificat.  I personally hoped that we succeeded in engaging the audience of our peers but I know most of our members were nervous with this item.  Choirs which sing to each other know that every other person in the audience is a potential critic.  Anyway our Conductor Moira Hunter plainly knew what she was doing when she included the Russian song Kaleenka as our final piece.  It was a real foot-stomper and everyone joined in to our relief.

Dr John Hearne, the musical director of the Festival would, we feel sure, have been pleased at the whole event.

We are looking forward to next year.

With thanks to John Smith for this report

Castle Fraser December 2007

On a very cold but clear December Sunday, the choir were invited by the NTS to sing at Castle Fraser.  Starting with a parade of Camel(s), Josephs, Mary's, wise men, angels, shepherds et al, we processed around the Castle entering the Courtyard where we sang carols (not once but twice) Thermals were certainly the order of the day. Between outside performances, a selection of carols were sang in the Main Hall, where the children were invited to sing with us in "Away in a Manger". Very luckily the fire was lit and some sense of feeling returned before the second parade. Luckily, there was a Hot Food stall outside where most of the choir warmed themselves up with Stovie (and fine Stovies they were!). I am attaching a little montage of some of the photos that I and John Smith took. Unusually, I feature in one or two. Normally, I have photographic immunity because I am behind the lens.

A Night at the Operetta - Saturday 2nd June 2007

"What a wonderful evening" said one of the audience. "A Night at The Operetta" was an unqualified success. With the superb assistance of "Moira's other lot", the Simpson Singers, a broad spectrum of songs were sung, all to the delight of the audience. By the way, I have been asked where the Simpson Singers got their name. On further investigation, it is a choice of two. They were named after either Archibald Simpson, the famous Aberdonian Architect, responsible for designing much of Union Street and the Music Hall or the JD Wetherspoon's Pub Archibald Simpson where they used to meet after their practices. I know which one I am likely to believe. I leave it up to you!!

Anyway, I digress. Back to the concert The feedback after the show was very positive and the audience felt they were really entertained, although some did admit to remembering the songs when they were first sung. The evening was split onto two halves. The first half was a selection of Gilbert & Sullivan. From the lesser known Utopia Ltd to The Mikado and the Pirates of Penzance (Haddo's Opera for 2008 - plug guys). After the interval, pieces from Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, The Desert Song and finally a selection of Waltzes where both Choirs joined together for a rousing finale.

 Next Year (2008) will be our tenth anniversary so something special is being gathered together for a performance in Inverurie Town Hall.

The Aberdeenshire Singing Festival - Gordon Schools, Huntly - Saturday 10th March 2007 

Report to follow

The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace - Wednesday 28th February 2007

An evening of music by "living" composers was presented at Inverurie Academy. The main work, The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace was preceded by three of John Rutter's Anthems, All Things Bright and Beautiful, A Clare Benediction and For the Beauty of the Earth. The main part of the concert was Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace. The varied composition of the work certainly stretched the choir but it was a satisfying piece of work to sing. Sadly it was necessary to omit two sections of the work. The "Call to Prayers" was not technically able to be performed although an Arabic speaker offered coaching. After hearing that section on the CD, it was very apparent why most amateur choirs omit that section.

Inverurie Academy hall was sectioned off with the section being totally filled by the audience. It certainly made for a more intimite, if that is the word, interaction between the choir and the audience. Refreshments were shared at the end of the concert.

There were many positive compliments for the concert. One of the highlights was the loud bang of the drum before the "Hosanna" was sung in the Benedictus. The audience was positively caressed with the soft singing of the Benedictus but awaken with a start by drum. Having experienced that section of the music in the dress rehearsal the previous night, the choir knew what was to come. However, the audience didn't and it was apparent that at that point, many left their seats in the air for an instant!

We all look forward to our Summer Concert, "An Evening at the Operetta" and are rehearsing for it as I write this piece.

John Whale

Sancta Lucia - Joint concert with Swedish Choir

Castle Fraser - 2006

Two very pleasant evenings were spent singing at the National Trust for Scotland Carol Week at Castle Fraser. Apart from the dreadfully out of tune piano and the dim lighting, it was a pleasure to sing for the NTS at Castle Fraser. The wonderful ambience of the Great Hall and the crackling log fire lent themselves to the interesting and varied programme produced by Moira.  A couple of pieces from "Armed Man" and John Rutter were sung as an advert to the main concert in February. Sadly there was a very nasty bout of flu going around which laid low quite a few of the choir but all the rest upped their work rate to produce a performance much appreciated by the audience. At the end of the performance, hot punch and mince pies were offered by the NTS which were very welcome. The rep at Castle Fraser has asked us back to sing again for Christmas 2007.

Summer Concert, Inverurie Academy - Europe in Song - Weds 28th June 2006

After the very successful audio/visual presentation of the Summer Concert, 2005, "A Scottish Panorama", the committee decided to broaden our vista and take in Europe and traditional songs and dances from around Europe. Not that the Society was seen to do European Dances but were heard singing dance songs. Several of the songs were sung in their native language and to that end we had a Russian and Finnish coach to assist us in our pronunciation. We were very lucky to have the exceedingly talented Jumash Poulsen, accompanied by his Mother, Ainur as our guest artist. For one so young, his talent is incredible. His  mastering of the violin belied his lack of years. Certainly a name for the future. After the concert, light refreshments were available to the audience and choir alike. So, Scotland first, then Europe. The World next perhaps? Sadly no, as the concert of 2007 promises excerpts from light opera and operetta.

Thainstone House Hotel, 21st December 2005

We were invited to entertain an audience who were offered mulled wine, mince pies, chestnuts and chocolates for the flavour of Christmas. Again the performance, totally unaccompanied, was split into two parts. When we arrived, the location we were expecting to sing from was taken by a huge Christmas Tree. We were taken to the Ambassador Suite where a mini stage had been erected and tables set for the evening.  I think the event, laid on by the Thainstone House Hotel, was under or incorrectly advertised.  The number of people who came for the evening was very disappointing since we probably had the largest turn out of the choir this Christmas. However we soldiered on and did both sections of the carols.  The acoustics were very difficult as the room was totally carpeted from wall to wall. Certainly on this occasion the choir significantly outnumbered the audience. Those of us who were there will know what I mean.  However it is just as easy (or difficult) to sing to one as it is to one hundred. 

Inverurie Garden Centre 10th and 17th December 2005

As last year, we were invited to sing carols to the customers in the Garden Centre restaurant. Two 30 minute sessions, unaccompanied, were sung but this year we were singing in the restaurant. Instead of a repeat of carols, two different sets of carols were sung so those who stayed the full hour (and there were some) were entertained to our Christmas Repertoire. We were provided with refreshments at "half time" by the Garden Centre which were very welcome.  Again the response we got from the customers was encouraging.

Castle Fraser, 10th December 2005

As part of the National Trust's Christmas Festivities, we were invited to sing carols to a sell out audience at Castle Fraser. The evening was carol singing by us followed by mulled wine and mince pies.  An entrance was made into the Great Hall singing the Gloucestershire Wassail as we took up our seats.  An hour of carol singing was appreciated by the audience which came from all around the area. It was a lovely hall to sing in, though the piano could have done with some tuning for the few carols we needed the piano.  Most of the singing was done unaccompanied. It was nice to mix with the audience afterwards who were appreciative of the whole evening.  We look forward to being invited back again some time.

Bon Accord Silver Band Concert - 12th November 2005

The 12th November, 2005 saw the Inverurie Choral Society at Aberdeen's Mitchell Hall as guests of the Bon Accord Silver Band and their regular conductor Duncan Beckley for their 5th Annual Concert. Conceived out of the idea to expand the Choir's horizons, capabilities and local presence, and to have some fun in doing so, the concert proved to be a well attended success. 

From the outset, so as not to make any inroads on the choir's rehearsal schedule for the Durufle concert, it was agreed that there be just two pieces where the choir would join the Band. These were the "Hymn to the Fallen" from the film "Saving Private Ryan" and a newly worked out choral addition to Peter Graham's "Gaelforce". 

Saving Private Ryan is undoubtedly well up in the ranks of the great films of the modern era. The film tells the story of a group of US soldiers during the Second World War making the ultimate sacrifice whilst attempting to bring back the eponymous Private Ryan from behind enemy lines. The centrepiece of the score is the beautiful Hymn to the Fallen, which in the years since the films release has become a memorial for all the soldiers who sacrificed themselves on the altar of freedom in not just the Normandy Invasion of 6th June 1944, but for all who fell during that war. It was thus entirely appropriate that we performed the piece during the Remembrance weekend. Adapted from John Williams' score by Sandy Smith of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the "Hymn to the Fallen" makes tremendous use of the haunting sounds of a wordless chorus set against the restrained use of the instrumental forces and military beat of the percussion. Whilst slightly fewer in numbers, the choir did this piece proud and it made the concert. That is certainly the comment I have picked up from the audience and the Band itself. The work we put in paid off. Well done everyone ! 

Our second contribution came at the finale. Originally the intention was to have kept up the movie theme with the rousing Duel of the Fates from Star Wars the Phantom Menace, but Moira and I thought it really would require many more numbers than we could ever muster to bring it off, especially as the Band would have been going at full tilt. So, still with the intention of providing a finale to wow the audience, I thought it an idea to provide a choral setting of the central section of Peter Grahams' "Gaelforce". Moira kindly made the concept a reality in putting words to the score. Irish folk music has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years with the high profile of such as Riverdance. Gaelforce follows in that tradition in using three traditional folk tunes to exploit the full colour and variety possible with the modern band. Adding the choir to the mix made it even more so. Firstly came a setting of the jig "The Rocky Road to Dublin" featuring the Bon Accord Bands' cornet section. Then it was our turn to join the solo flugel horn and band in The Minstrel Boy. The entry for the choir had proved to be problematic in rehearsals, but we got it right and confidently so on the night. Then, finally, it was up to the band supported by some rip roaring percussion to finish the piece with a very Riverdance like setting of "Tossing the Feathers". 

Before any of the above, we had our own solo spot ! How this crept into things I am still not sure, but it worked well enough with Sullivan's setting of The Long Day Closes and our ever reliable party piece "By the Light of the Silvery Moon". They were ok but I wonder if, after an afternoon of rehearsals with the band in situ whether we were quite sure of the difference it would make of us being on our own in the acoustic of the hall. Still, all in all, it was a wonderful occasion and a success we could well build on. 

Nick Lamb

Summer Concert - Kemnay Church Centre - June 2005 - "A Scottish Panorama"

Taking a break from tradition, it was decided to produce songs from around Scotland, aptly named, "A Scottish Panorama". Thanks to Roy Clarke, he was able to produce a visual presentation along with the songs from all over Scotland. Starting and ending the concert, we welcomed Marie who entertained us with her Celtic Harp and local and Gaelic Songs. Conducted by Moira and with accompanist Emily Innes, the choir was able vocally cover all areas of Scotland. The Ladies were dressed in traditional Scottish dress and the gentlemen in kilts, they gave the full flavour of Scotland to the performance. The performance was appreciated by a capacity audience who left the concert wanting more - a good reflection on the presentation by the choral society and guests

Aberdeenshire Singing Festival - Stonehaven 5th March 2005

The usual Festival weather (snow) relented this year and allowed a well attended singing festival.  Eleven choirs were represented demonstrating the varied repertoires of local societies.  By far the largest section was Haddo choirs who brought with them 3 choirs totalling over a hundred singers.

The afternoon was spent in a very amusing workshop with Guest Conductor David Lawrence, where a lot of the techniques of singing were learnt.

The attending choirs were: The Linties, Haddo Children's Choir, Inverurie Choral, Haddo Youth Choir, Peterhead Choral, Haddo Choral & Operatic Society, The Banchory Singers, Bennachie Singers, The Stonehaven Chorus, Aberdeen Gaelic Choir and The Granite City Chorus.

Sadly, due to outside reasons, we were unable to do three pieces so Durufle's  "Kyrie" and Reith's version of "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" were sang by us.  Remarks were overheard from one Society's conductor who said "One thing about Inverurie is that they have a very varied choice of music!"

At the end of the evening all choirs joined together and gave a performance of Holst's "Now is The Month of Maying" and "O fortuna" from Carmen Burana.

Well done to everyone involved and here is to next years festival.

Annual Carol Concert 2004, St. Andrew's Church - 5th December 2004

The Inverurie Choral Society performed its annual Christmas Concert at the town’s St Andrew’s Church on the evening of Sunday 5^th of December. This, the seventh annual yuletide concert, saw the Musical Director Moira Hunter arrange a selection of carols which gave the choir some tricky and satisfying items to get their teeth into as well as allowing the audience that comfortable feeling you get when you can join in the more traditional and popular carols.  The accompanying organist was John Forrester.

The choir which was established in 1998 under John Hearne, has already had a pretty busy year having taken part in two concerts already this year as well as involving itself and the members in the popular Aberdeenshire Singing festival in March.  They have had the confidence to branch out and have produced a CD on which many of the carols that were sung on this occasion feature.  In addition they were requested to give a seasonal feeling at the Inverurie Garden Centre on Saturday afternoon. This proved so popular that they have been asked back to perform again on the Saturday before Christmas.

Incidentally, Inverurie based John has just been awarded a special Doctorate in Music from the University of Aberystwyth in Wales, in recognition of his contribution to music over the past three decades.

One of the most entertaining aspects of singing is getting ones tongue around Latin and even more old forms of English.  The carol “Adam Lay Y Bounden” which Boris Ord of Cambridge put to a 16^th century air took some getting used to.  So did “Myn Lyking” a traditional carol put to music by RR Terry a while ago - the words look recognisable but pronouncing them is an interesting exercise.

Even more so was an old Latin carol dating from 1592 and which could easily have earlier antecedents, entitled Gaudete (meaning rejoice).  

But the effort is usually worth it and from comments from the audience after the Concert the sounds were greatly enjoyed.   The CD entitled “Sing Noel” was on sale at the door and gratifyingly they were being snapped up.

Report by John Smith

thanks to Jim Hatter for the picture

Carol Singing - Inverurie Garden Centre - 4th December 2004

The Choral Society was invited to sing two sessions of carols at the Inverurie Garden Centre on Saturday 4th December 2004.  Two thirty minute sessions comprising 10 carols (all unaccompanied) were sung upstairs.  A tea break, provided by the Garden Centre was welcome as it was very warm upstairs.  Apparently the singing was heard throughout the centre and drew a lot of people upstairs.  Very favourable comments were received by patrons of the Centre and the Centre's Management.  We have been invited back again for a return session the week before Christmas.

The choir at Inverurie Garden centre

Spring Concert -Kemnay Church Centre - 5th June 2004

The concert was held on a hot June evening with the sun shining through the church centre windows.  I think we were all surprised when we ran out of seats and had to find more chairs for the performance.  

"Day and Night: A Summer Miscellany" was the title of the concert and that is exactly what was contained within the programme. We were joined for the performance by the Cults Academy Saxophone Quartet and accompanied, where necessary by Andrew Bruce.  The youngsters had to be applauded for their saxophone playing and choice of music.  It is so good to see young local talent and we hope that they go a long way in their musical career.  

For a change, some lighter music was added to the performance and it was appreciated by the audience.  "Moon River" and "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" were just two of the more modern songs sung by the choir that night.  A successful performance, enjoyed by both audience and choral society, ended with Arthur Sullivan's beautiful "The Long Day Closes".  Refreshments were provided after the performance by The Church Centre Ladies.  A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Easter Concert - St Andrews Church, Inverurie - 21st March 2004

Our Easter Concert took place at St Andrews Church, Inverurie (at least the heating was working this time!!)

The concert consisted of works from Mozart (Ave Verum Corpus) and Bach (2 Chorales from the St Matthews Passion") and the main part of the concert was John Stainers "The Crucifixion".  For Stainer's Crucifixion, we were joined by two members of the Aberdeen Opera Company, Peter Weston (Tenor) and David Smail (Bass).  The audience were invited to join in the Chorales.  the Organ was played by David Smith.  "God So Loved The World" was performed unaccompanied.

Whilst St Andrews Church is acoustically quite good, the numbers we had for the concert meant that Moira was difficult to see.  Even with a slightly higher dais, it was difficult for all members of the choir to see her all the time (and after all, we should be watching the conductor, shouldn't we?).  Moira, you ought to grow another foot (height please) or make your dais a little higher.

I felt the concert went very well overall.  It was a good sing and the evening was rounded up by drinks and nibbles provided by St Andrews Church.

Aberdeenshire Singing Festival - Huntly - 6th March 2004

Once again we had beaten the weather although there was the legacy of the previous weeks snow storms still lying on the ground!  Our guest conductor this year was Michael Kibblewhite.  He held an entertaining workshop in the afternoon and rehearsed the 3 combined works - Viva Musica, Rutter's Agnus Dei and Jabula Jesu, a Zulu folk song.

The evening concert started at 7.30 pm and we were the first choir on stage.  It was in the afternoon that we learnt that Michael Kibblewhite's Great Grandfather (I think) was John Stainer, who wrote "The Crucifixion", a piece of which we were to do that evening.  Talk about pressure.  the Great Grandson of the composer there in the audience.  We did 3 pieces.  Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus", "God so Loved the World" from Stainer's Crucifixion and Freunt's "How lovely sings the Angel Choir".  Overall, I felt the performance was OK with a slight indifferent 8 bars in the middle of "God so Loved the World".  That particular section had gone without problem in the rehearsal earlier in the day.

In all, 9 choirs/choral societies took part.  In order of appearance in the evening they were, Inverurie Choral Society, Haddo Children's Choir, The Linties, Haddo Youth Choir, Peterhead Choral Society, Haddo Choral & Operatic Society, Bennachie Singers, Aberdeen Gaelic Choir and The Stonehaven Chorus.

The evening finished off with the massed choirs all joining together under the baton of Michael Kibblewhite.  Michael even involved the audience in what was an excellent visit to Huntly.

Christmas Concert - St Andrew's Church, Inverurie - 14th  December 2003

On a snowy cold evening, the Christmas Concert was resurrected.  Rehearsals were carried out in the afternoon with our soloist, Anna Hamilton and with Donald Hawksworth at the organ.  There were one or two concerns about the organ behaving itself and the church itself felt a bit cold but that was out down to the change in temperature outside.  As we arrived at 7.30 pm, the church was positively freezing.  It was then that we found out that the heating had broken down that morning.  However, as is the spirit of Inverurie Choral Society, we will take on all conditions and give our best.

The main piece of the performance was Haydn's Little Organ Mass with extracts from Handel's Messiah, soprano and organ solo's as well as a variety of carols.  Anna Hamilton had a stunning voice and we thank Moira for managing to get her for our concert.

During the interval, refreshments were provided by the Church.  I think a hot punch would have been more appropriate than the excellent wine......

Goodbye John - Hello Moira

John Hearne has decided move on to other things.  When the Choral Society was formed 5 years ago, John said that he was willing to take us on for 5 years.  John has many other responsibilities that he wants to concentrate on - and he is no longer a youngster (sorry John but you can draw your pension now).  We have to thank John for taking us from a raw group of singers and blending us into what we are now.  We certainly have a reduced number from when we started but we are a keen, dedicated core of singers. Very luckily he has found us a very able successor to him.  Moira Hunter was the former director of Aberdeen Opera Company and is being brave enough to take us on.  Welcome Moira to Inverurie Choral Society.  We may be small but we will do our best for you.

"Summer Schubertiad" - Summer Concert - 7th June 2003

This was the last concert to be conducted by John Hearne as Musical Director of the Society.  Before the evening's entertainment, the Choral Society presented John with an engraved Musical Director's Stand to thank him for forming our Society.  John said in 1998 that he would give us 5 years of his time and experience and helped the society to its present day state.  He has handed us over to Moira Hunter, who becomes our new Musical Director.  Luckily, Moira was able to sing with us for this concert so experienced us "from the sharp end", so to speak.

In front of a good sized audience on a sunny evening at the Chapel of Garioch, The "Summer Schubertiad" started with an unaccompanied rendition of "Holy, Holy, Holy".  This set the scene for an evening's entertainment mainly based on Schubert's works.  "Psalm 23, The Lord Is My Shepherd" composed by Schubert followed before the main event of the evening, Schubert's Mass in G.  We were fortunate to have AVE (Aberdeen Vocal Ensemble) as our guests and Shirley Cummings (soprano), Nick Cameron (tenor) and Brian Gunnee (baritone) took the solo parts in the Mass.

AVE then sang Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer" with Laura Morley as soloist before the choir sang two Schubert's unison songs "Sea Calm" and "To Music".  AVE then sang an eight part harmony to Pearsall's "Lay A Garland".  The harmony was beautifully blended with voices of AVE.  It is wonderful to hear a group of talented young artists, from all walks of life, sing so well and with confidence.  The choral responded with Pearsall's "Who Shall Win My Lady Fair" followed by Callcotts "Go, Idle Boy"

The finale of the concert was a trio of Schubert songs, sung in German.  "Tanzen und Springen", "Es bluhen die Maien" and "Der Tanz".  An encore of "Der Tanz" was sung at the end of the concert.

John Hearne introduced the pieces of music in his inimitable way which gave the knowledgeable audience a background to the concert.  Accompaniment on both organ and piano was, as always, ably performed by Donald Hawksworth.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable concert, enjoyed both by the performers and the audience alike.

"Shall Brothers Be" - Burns Celebration Concert 2003

(click to enlarge pictures)

Pictures courtesy of Janice Anderson (Sarah's Mum)

This year, our Musical Director, John Hearne decided that we should celebrate Robert Burns birthday with a "Burns" concert held at the Kemnay Church Centre.  The programme was to include readings of Robbie Burns, guest performances by a local fiddle player and a vocal octet with vocal contributions by the Society.

The evening was started by a reading of Burns "Twa Dogs" by Margaret Hearne.  Throughout the evening Margaret, who is a drama specialist for Aberdeenshire, read several of Robert Burns' poems.  My personal favourite which also had the audience laughing was "The Braw Wooer".  

Fiona Thain is a young fiddler and accompanied the Society in a couple of pieces but also gave a couple of solo fiddling renditions.  Fiona is from Inverurie Academy and is also a member of Celtacad and The Garioch Fiddlers.  

Our other guests were AVE (Aberdeen Vocal Ensemble).  AVE was originally formed in 1999 by the local members of the Total Aberdeen youth Choir.  AVE sang several Scots songs and were directed by Brian Gunnee.  The Society sang three songs during the evening before joining with all the guests in the major work of the night, John Gardner's "A Burns Sequence".  

The Society and guests were accompanied by Bobby Howie on the piano.  The evening was conducted by our Choral Director, John Hearne.  As a surprise encore all parties joined in "sic a wife". It turned out to be the hardest piece of the evening but had everyone laughing by the end of it.

Audience response was very good for the whole of the evening.  One lady was heard to say "It wiz affy fine but wiz tae short.  I could have listened to much mair."  That is the spirit of Robbie Burns.

Picture courtesy of the Inverurie Herald and Heather Wilson

"The Way We Sang Then" - Spring Concert 2002

Our Spring concert this year had a different theme.  It was not a formal concert but an attempt to recreate the atmosphere of an early Victorian "Glee" Club.  These singing clubs flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries and gave rise to the style of music which became the "glee" or part-song.

A full and varied programme was presented to those who came to listen at Kemnay Church Centre.  Sadly, Jamie MacDougall became ill with a nasty bout of flu and John Hearne, bravely stepped in to take Jamie's part of the concert, though the songs were changed/adjusted to John's Bass/Baritone voice.  As members of the Choral know, we know John has a fine voice but the true professional singer was much in evidence when John sang his solo's.  John was MC, conductor, soloist and page-turner to Bobby Howie.  Who says he is not a man of many parts!  Well done, John.  All in a day's work.

Colin Hunter gave several solo and accompanied performances on the clarinet, a melodious instrument played by a thoroughly good clarinetist.  Though it was refreshing to see that even the soloists make the occasional mistake.  Colin really blended in well with Bobby Howie who was playing the piano accompaniment.

The Choral Society sang 10 "glee" songs.  One had to smile as a certain member of the Bass Section during rehearsals, occasional forgot the repeats (It's alright, Mike, I won't mention your name) and was reminded by John H to treat them like the "buffers" on a railway line and go back to the beginning.  Comments were made about going through the "buffers".  Our penultimate song, "Ye spotted snakes" was just approaching the "buffers" when our Conductor decided that he was going to sing right through the buffers.  By then, the Society had turned back to the beginning of the song and John H had a little solo until the rest of us realised what had happened, turned the page and caught him up.  I know we over-ran time a bit.  John H was honest enough to say at the end of that song that some-one had forgotten the repeats, to which all choral members pointed their fingers at our conductor.  This truly was the spirit of a "Glee" club though in olden days I guess a round of drinks would have been bought on the strength of it.

Refreshments were served at the end of the performance.  Truly, different but nonetheless very enjoyable.  Here's to the next one in costume.

Aberdeenshire Singing Festival 2002, Stonehaven

Aberdeenshire Singing Festival was held at Mackie Academy, Stonehaven on Saturday 9th March 2002.  This year was a break from tradition insomuch that it didn't snow.

The festival, typically involved a workshop in the afternoon plus rehearsals of the Combined Choirs for the evening performance.

We were delighted to have Michael Brewer back again as our guest conductor and to say his workshop was slightly unorthodox is possibly an understatement of the word.  However, those of us who have been at his previous workshop had an idea of what to expect but his technique came as a shock to some choir members!  It was a very good workout in the afternoon and it was obvious that someone as talented as Michael knew exactly what he wanted, how he wanted it and when he wanted it but not necessarily in that order.

Mackie Academy staff provided an excellent tea for those who had travelled a distance.

The evening started with Aberdeen Orpheus Choir and the choral section finished with The Stonehaven Chorus.  I am not going to go into the programmes of each individual choirs with the exception of "Frantically Keen" because if you weren't there to hear it then that that was your loss.  Thanks to "Frantically Keen" who came from the Edinburgh area to guest in our singing festival.  Come along and support it next year in Deeside.  The programme finished with the combined choirs under the leadership of Mike Brewer with John Hearne's arrangement of Bizet's "The March of the Three Kings" and the finale "Mangwani M'pulele", Michael Brewer's arrangement of a traditional Zulu folk song.

During the evening, I was able to take photograph's of all the participants of the festival.  I decided not to use "flash" so I didn't disrupt the proceedings.  There is a slight penalty to pay for that as the green flood lights seemed to be the dominant lighting.  If any Societies or choirs wish to use the picture of their choir from the following montage then I am happy for you to do that.

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the setting up of the festival.  You are too numerous to mention.  I think the beauty of the Aberdeenshire Singing Festival is that it is not competitive and we are singing for each other.  Happy singing.

    Aberdeen Orpheus           Banchory Youth           Inverurie Choral           Aberdeen Gaelic           Peterhead Choral

            Frantically Keen                  Banchory Singers                          GYMS                         Stonehaven Chorus

Combined Choirs

Report by John Whale, Inverurie Choral Society.  All pictures remain my copyright.  However, individual societies or choirs may use them for their own purposes if they so wish.  (JW)

International Youth Festival - 5th August 2001

Well done to John B, Alan, Mike, Ron, (Bass Section) and Sylvia and John W, (Tenor Section) who represented us at the IYF for "Serenade to Music".

We were delighted to be invited to take part in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival's "A World of Song" on Sunday 5th August 2001.  The finale of the evening was a performance of Vaughan William's "Serenade to Music" combining the performing choirs with the Tenor and Bass Sections members of the Stonehaven Chorus and ourselves.  The music was provided by the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra and for many this was the first time "Serenade" was sung with an orchestra not a piano - and very different it was.  The Aberdeen Youth Choir, the NHK Tokyo Broadcasting Children's Choir and Stord Ungdomskar provided the other voices.  A shock was provided by John Hearne at a mini rehearsal when he invited us to sing the solo parts (I think we acquitted ourselves well there but then I am biased!).  Luckily, John joined us for the performance and provided welcome assistance to the basses though I must say we didn't have that in the Tenors and had to stand on our own feet - but the Tenor section is used to that I guess.

Talking to the some of the audience afterwards, they said that it was one of the best "Serenades" that they had heard and I quote "moving and with passion".

Ben Parry did a wonderful job of conducting the ensemble which must have totalled over 150 performers if you include the orchestra.

It was a performance not to be missed and if you did miss it, well you certainly missed a great evening.

(JW)

Summer Concert 2001 - "Sangs o' Simmer"

The Chapel of Garioch was, again, an ideal setting for the Summer Concert.  An enthusiastic audience was treated to a variety of music for a Summer Evening.

The concert opened with Ralph Vaughan Williams "Serenade to Music".  The principal solo parts were sung by our guests, baritone Alan Watt, who we welcomed back again this year and soprano, Wilma MacDougall with her debut with the Choral Society.  Mariko North played the solo violin and the work was accompanied by Christopher Nickol on the organ.  This piece, to me, is a beautiful piece of music and we were lucky to have such finely talented guest musicians.

Alan Watt then sang Finzi's "Fear No More the Heat o' the Sun" followed by Westhill Music Studio Singers (directed by Morag Simpson) unusual but moving rendering of Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth".

Either side of the Choral Society's trilogy of "Weep, O mine Eyes, Hide Not Thou Thy Face from Us, O Lord and Call to Remembrance, O Lord", Chris Nickol gave a stirring rendering of John Stanley's "Voluntary in D minor" and two pieces from Herbert Howells.  Luckily the power was with us the night of the concert as during the afternoon's rehearsal, power was lost to the pump for the Organ resulting in some unusual sounds and some hurried resetting of fuses!!

Wilma MacDougall then gave a superb rendering of Roger Quilter's June.  A remarkable voice which has balance and clarity in her upper voice range.  

The finale of the evening was the commission to John Hearne by Gordon Forum for the Arts of "The Ben".  Text written by Willian Imray (Bill Brown) and the piece set to music by John Hearne.  A very interesting piece which involved all performers.  It was sung in Doric (the local dialect of the North East of Scotland) and followed the history of our local mountain "Bennachie".  The text has a time span of millions of years.  From the birth of the mountain, through human sacrifice, the monastery of Monymusk to present time and into the future, the five piece cantata covered it all.

Copies of the text were made available to the audience with a modern day translation of some of the more obscure Doric words.

It is very difficult to give an overall view of the performance of "The Ben".  There was so much going on and coming from all directions.  All who were involved in the presentation of John Hearne's composition gave their best and I believe the audience went away having listened to an original piece of music.  Personally, I can say it was not the easiest of works that I have sung but it certainly was a challenge and we all know John enjoys a challenge or three.  I hope we did credit to both John and Bill.

I haven't given much mention to Mariko North who played the solo violin beautifully.  Mariko is a pupil at Inverurie Academy and is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.  Thanks also to Drew Tulloch who accompanied us and the soloists on the piano.

Overall, a thoroughly entertaining evening, enjoyed by both participants and audience alike.

(JW)

Aberdeenshire Choral Festival-2001

This year's Aberdeenshire Choral festival was held again in Inverurie with guest conductor was Ben Parry.  10 choirs/choral societies/music societies took part.

There was a workshop in the afternoon and a performance in the evening.  Each participating society performed a short section of their own works in the evening followed by a combined performance of all societies.

The music chosen this year for the joint performance was:

1.    Lift up your Heads, ye Gates (Hammerschmidt)
2.    Lay a Garland (Pearsall)
3.    O gin I were where Gadie rins (Johnston)

Thanks to Dianne for her report on the festival slightly modified by myself.  Unfortunately, your webmaster went home to change for the evening performance and was blocked in by the drifting snow and missed the evening performance.  :(

"The Gordon Gaelic Choir were first, with Thairis air a'ghleann and Tillidh mi, both of which were very enjoyable despite not knowing what they were singing. Peterhead Choral Society were next, with Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart), Golden Cornfields, and Ave Verum Corpus (Elgar). They managed to squeeze an extra piece in too which wasn't on the programme. Both these choirs left immediately after singing, in the hope of reaching home without being caught in a snowdrift. True to tradition we had snow of course. The Banchory Youth Singers were next - a small group of very talented singers and wonderful to listen too. I remember thinking the same last time. They sang The Old Ark's A-moverin', Bourree for Bach, Hashivenu, and Aquarius. Inverurie Choral Society were next with There's a Light Upon the Mountains, Chanticleer and believe it or not, I can't remember what we replaced Weep, O Mine Eyes with! The first half finished with the Granite City Chorus, a male barbershop group of eight, singing When You're Smiling, The Old Piano Roll Blues, and Scotland Again. They were fun to listen to and looked great in their white shirts and tartan waistcoats. At the interval I was asked by one of the Stonehaven Chorus if I would take photos of everyone in the second half with his digital camera, so my attention was taken up trying to use this gadget. Aberdeen Orpheus Choir sang The Merry Widow Waltz and The Willow Tree, both sang beautifully by this large choir. The Garioch Youth Musical society then sang Telephone Hour and One Voice, the first piece like a giant phone conversation with each person having a line or two to sing over his or her mobile phone. It was very well done and the audience loved it. The youngsters cheered and whistled after every other choir sang - they were very enthusiastic. The Banchory Singers sang Mice and Men, Laura, and Getting to Know You. The Stonehaven Chorus then followed the Venite Adoremus, Ships in the Haven (Icelandic of course) and The Seagull. It was fascinating to hear what The Seagull sounds like from the other side of the fence. They have this piece down to a fine art. Castle Country Chorus sang The Longest Time, Mood Indigo, and Thank You for the Music.  The Massed Choirs finale was really wonderful to be part of and Ben encouraged us the whole way. It wasn't quite so crowded as it was in the afternoon, as two of the choirs had already gone home, but what power there is in numbers. It was a great concert with all age groups represented and a wide range of different styles of music represented."

Next Year, Stonehaven here we come?

Winter Concert 2000 - A Light for the World

Inverurie Academy - 13th December 2000

The Sankta Lucia quartet comprising of Lauren Hart (Sankta Lucia), Christina Beange (Staffan), Callum Merson (Baker boy) and Scott Faskin (Chimney Sweep).

The Christmas Concert 2000 was held at Inverurie Academy on the 13th December 2000 (Sankta Lucia's Day).  The weather was much better than previous years and that was reflected by a larger audience.

The concert included a visit from Sankta Lucia, Staffan, a baker's boy and a chimney sweep.  This is very traditional in Sweden and also in other Scandinavian countries on the  13th of December.    Lauren and Christina both sang traditional Swedish pieces supported by the Choral Society.  Scott was sporting a shiner of a black-eye (must have bumped into something in the chimney!) and Callum had a tray full of mince pies (which looked suspiciously like Tesco's!)

Donald Hawksworth was our accompanist and his improvisation between the Gloucester Wassail Carol (and the encore) was a pleasure to hear.  John Hearne was seen to smile at the Society several times during the concert.  Was that because you were content with our performance or did you want us to beam at the audience!

Spring Concert 2000- Let all the World in every Corner Sing

Chapel of Garioch, 27th May 2000

We held a very successful Spring Concert in the idyllic setting of The Chapel of Garioch, despite Aberdeen being the wettest place in the U.K. that day.

"Choir strikes gold in chapel" commented Alan Cooper's review in the Press & Journal on the 29th May 2000.

The smooth singing of guest baritone Alan Watt (Baritone) was the centre of a well attended and enjoyable sequence of musical pieces.  The major piece was "Five Mystical Songs" by Vaughan Williams, with two of Grieg's "Four Psalms" with a series of secular songs from Scotland and France.

Organ accompaniment was by David Smith and conducted, in his inimitable fashion by John Hearne (although he gave us h*ll in the final rehearsal that afternoon!!)

Aberdeenshire Singing Festival 2000

This festival was held at Fraserburgh this year and despite heavy snow, six choral/music societies attended the festival.  The festival consisted of a workshop led by guest conductor, John Currie.

In the evening each participating Society presented its own selection and then all 150 singers joined together to sing two excerpts from the Messiah and two of Rabbie Burn's poems set to music conducted by John Currie.

Members of the Society at Fraserburgh.

Combined Choirs

Winter Concert 1999 - Sing Noel 

Inverurie Academy, 18th December 1999.

Our third concert, "Sing Noel" was held in atrocious weather conditions at Inverurie Academy again.

This year, John Hearne decided that audience participation was the key for the concert and the audience were invited to sing along with the choir.

Most memorable was the finale with a version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" where everyone in the hall gave a 110% effort.

Summer Concert 1999 - Music for a Summer Evening

Inverurie Academy, 12th June 1999.

Our summer concert 1999 was held in Inverurie Academy.  The theme for this year's summer concert was "Music for a Summer Evening".

A selection of pieces were sung which included Holst's "Pslam 86", Honegger's "Pastoral d'ete", John Hearne's arrangement of "Summer Nights in the Fjords" (the Society's first attempt at singing in Icelandic!) and Elgar's "Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands".

The guest soloist was Gordon Jack (Baritone) and the Aberdeen Sinfonietta accompanied the performance.

Winter Concert 1998 - New World Nowells

This was the first "real" concert given by the Society.  It took place at Inverurie Academy on 19th December 1998.

Most of the music came from the Americas but there was also music from Europe and the British Isles.

The concert was built around six pieces from South America which told the Christmas story "Navidad Nuestra".  The concert opened with "Heilige Nacht" and during the concert, the Huron Carol from Canada, two traditional Spirituals and a Scottish Carol.  The audience were invited to sing some traditional carols.

There were splendid solos from guest artiste Gillian Taylor (whose Mum sang with the Society) and solo from David Bracegirdle on the Guitar.

Mince pies and a non-alcoholic punch was provided to all at the end of the concert and a collection was taken for the Central American Disaster Fund.

To return to Home Page, click HERE