Dumfries Choral Society members are gearing up for an enchanting concert set to take place at St John’s Church on Newall Terrace in Dumfries. The event, titled “Around the British Isles in Eighty Minutes,” promises to be a musical journey through the home nations, featuring renowned compositions. The concert, scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at 7.30pm, will be led by the talented musical director, Jamie Brand MBE, with accompaniment from pianist Katharine Durran. The Glasgow-based solo baritone, Colin Murray, will also be joining the performance.
Tickets for the concert are priced at £12 (students £5, children free) and can be purchased from the Midsteeple or at the door (cash only). Throughout the evening, refreshments will be available for the audience to enjoy. Ana Price, the society’s secretary, expressed excitement about the upcoming performance and the addition of new members to the choir for this special venture.
The concert will begin with a performance of “Toward the Unknown Region” by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, followed by Charles Stanford’s “Songs of the Sea” from Ireland, in commemoration of the centenary of the composer’s death in 1924. The programme also includes beautiful Welsh songs such as “Daffodils-Cennin Aur” by Mansel Thomas, along with popular folk songs like “The Golden Wheat” and “Ash Grove”. The Scottish representation in the concert will be through Ken Johnston’s “I Landed with Seven Men,” which narrates the story of Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobite rebellion.
The Choral Society’s traditional Christmas concert is also on the horizon, scheduled for Monday, December 23 at St John’s Church. Those interested in potentially joining the society for future concerts are encouraged to reach out to the secretary via email at: info.dumfrieschoralsociety@gmail.com.
In conclusion, the Dumfries Choral Society’s upcoming concert promises to be a remarkable musical experience, showcasing the diverse and rich musical heritage of the home nations. With a blend of traditional and folk songs, along with captivating narratives, the audience is in for a treat at this not-to-be-missed event at St John’s Church.