Inverness Singers choir set to perform a range of songs at church on Wednesday
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Songs both well-known and traditional will ring out in an Inverness church on Wednesday when a local choir takes to the stage to give its first live performance in more than two years.
Four-part harmony choir Inverness Singers will perform favourites such as Wild Mountain Thyme and Fields of Gold, as well as compositions by the master of choral music John Rutter.
There will also be a nod to the pop genre with the old Cat Stevens classic Moonshadow and Four Seasons in One Day by Crowded House.
Joining the choir as a special guest is operatic soprano Eileen Macintosh, who lives on the Black Isle. Eileen’s powerful voice will be heard singing Vincenzo Bellini’s Casta Diva, and in complete contrast, Gershwin’s Summertime, from Porgy and Bess.
Choir conductor Lila Senior, a talented composer, arranger and musician herself, is delighted that the choir can perform in front of an audience after such a long gap.
She said: “It’s been fantastic getting back again. I never thought I’d live in a world where singing was actually against the law. I also never thought the ban would last for so long.”
The choir has been rehearsing hard, and Lila, who has been its conductor since 2018, spoke of a dramatic improvement.
“Rehearsal one was a bit croaky,” she joked. “I don’t think most people had sung through the lockdown. But since then the improvement from one week to the next has been phenomenal. I’m really proud of the effort everyone has put into practising at home, and I feel we’re ready for the concert.”
Inverness Singers was founded in 1972 by a breakaway group from Inverness Opera Company, and the first concert was held in 1973 so the Singers’ spring concert next year will mark its 50th anniversary.
To date the choir has had nine conductors, the longest serving being Doris Blair, who still sings in the soprano section.
Lila and the choristers are hoping members of the public will turn out in force to listen to the varied programme and offer support, on what promises to be an entertaining evening.
The Songs of Earth and Sky concert will take place at Crown Church from 7.30pm. A donation from the proceeds will be made to social care and development charity Carr Gomm.
