Bearsden Choir

The Bearsden Choir (also known as Bearsden Burgh Choir) is a choir of 100 mixed adult voices based in Bearsden, Scotland. Described as one of Scotland's leading choirs,[1] it was formed in 1968 and performs both sacred and secular classical choral works. The composer James MacMillan is its Honorary President.

History

The choir was founded in 1968 by Harry MacGill, at the time, organist of New Kilpatrick Church,[2] with the initial objective giving an annual Christmas performance of Handel's Messiah. Over the years, it expanded its programming and became known for its "imaginative repertoire" and "high standards of performance".[3][4] It has twice reached the finals of BBC2's Sainsbury's Choir of the year competition, won the four top awards for mixed choirs at the 1983 Blackpool Music Festival, and in 2001 won the Glasgow Orpheus Choir Trophy at the Glasgow Music Festival.[5][6]

The choir now performs at least three major concerts each year with a professional orchestra and soloists. It has been featured regularly on television and radio, notably with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performing three contrasting versions of the Te Deum by Berlioz, Bruckner and Dvořák. The choir has done several Songs of Praise recordings,[4] including the live broadcast at Glamis for the service of remembrance of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.[7]

In April 2000 the choir gave an unabridged account of St Matthew Passion in Glasgow Cathedral to mark the 250th anniversary of Bach's death.[4] In 2003 the Choir presented a number of major concerts in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in aid of the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal. It also played a leading role in the Gallery's opening concert in 2006.[1] Earlier that year the Berlioz Te Deum, performed by the Bearsden and Paisley Abbey choirs, provided a test of the restored acoustics in the Glasgow City Halls with the venue's first choral concert since its renovation.[8]

The choir has commissioned a variety of new choral works from contemporary composers. These have included The Lamb by Edward Harper, Harmony of Angels by Jennifer Margaret Barker, Ballade Pour Prier Nostre Dame by Martin Dalby and There was a lad by Glyn Bragg. In 2008, its 40th anniversary year, the choir commissioned a new work by Oliver Iredale Searle.[9] The piece, 23.VII.32, was performed in both its forms, once with full orchestra and once with the reduced setting of piano, organ and percussion. The choir has also performed David Fanshawe's African Sanctus, Herbert Howells's Hymnus Paradisi, and Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, the only performance of the work in Scotland in 2012.[10]

Organization

The Bearsden Choir has been a registered charity since 1980 and receives grants from the East Dunbartonshire Arts Council.[11][12] The choir's singers are amateurs, chosen on an audition basis, augmented by professional soloists for major concerts. As of 2014, its principal staff were:

Recordings

References

  1. 1 2 MacDonald, Calum (3 July 2006). "Grand Old Lady strikes right chords", The Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Milngavie & Bearsden Herald (9 August 2011). "Floral display marks organists’ centenary"
  3. ↑ Tavener, Rebecca (15 February 1988). "Bearsden Burgh Choir". The Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Duncan, Lesley (8 April 2000). "Passion at the heart of performance". The Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2014 (subscription required).
  5. ↑ The Herald (26 March 2001). "Bearsden in fine voice". Retrieved 9 March 2014 (subscription required).
  6. ↑ The Herald (29 October 1983). "Right Note". Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  7. ↑ Walton, Kenneth (21 October 2002). "Your choir needs you!". The Scotsman. Retrieved 9 March 2014 (subscription required).
  8. ↑ Tumelty, Michael (13 February 2006). "Berlioz Te Deum, City Hall, Glasgow", The Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2014 (registration required).
  9. ↑ Tumelty, Michael (24 December 2008). "No chance of silent night for Scotland's busiest composer". The Herald. Quote: "For his Bearsden Choir piece, which has the idiosyncratic title 23.VII.32, he had the idea of writing a big, showy, celebratory piece." Retrieved 9 March 2014 (subscription required).
  10. ↑ Milngavie & Bearsden Herald (12 October 2012). "Bearsden Choir will be on song on Saturday". Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Office of the Scottish Charity Register. Bearsden Choir, SC001117.
  12. ↑ East Dunbartonshire Arts Council (2013). Awards. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Bearsden Choir. Musical Director. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Bearsden Choir. Accompanist. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  15. ↑ Bearsden Choir. Honorary President. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  16. ↑ Grant, Raymond J. S. (1986). The laughter of love: a study of Robert Burns, p. 171. Detselig Enterprises. ISBN 0920490581

External links

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