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PICTURES: BBC viewers tune in to see local choirs come together in full voice for visit of popular TV show Songs of Praise


By Imogen James

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Tori Longdon, conductor, presenter, workshop leader. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Tori Longdon, conductor, presenter, workshop leader. Picture: James Mackenzie.

Popular BBC TV show Songs of Praise came to Inverness Cathedral on Sunday celebrating local singers.

A collection of choirs took to the stage in front of a packed audience as the show was filmed.

It was due to take place last year but faced Covid-related delays.

Laine Harris, Anne Harris, Mike Harris and Rita Dunbar. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Laine Harris, Anne Harris, Mike Harris and Rita Dunbar. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Gene Smith, Isobel Smith, Bruce Smith and Gordon Smith. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Gene Smith, Isobel Smith, Bruce Smith and Gordon Smith. Picture: James Mackenzie.

The episode will be broadcast in July and includes performances from Inverness Cathedral Choir, Inverness Cathedral Junior Choir, Inverness Gaelic Choir and the Black Isle Gaelic Choir.

It was led by London-based conductor, presenter and workshop leader Tori Longdon.

Director of music at Inverness Cathedral, Adrian Marple, said: “It was so good to bring so many people and groups together and raise the cathedral roof with the powerful hymn singing!

Clare Campell, Kirsteen Maclennan, Ruth Macdonald, Malina Liddle, Morven MacDonald and Steven Maciver, Black Isle Gaelic Choir. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Clare Campell, Kirsteen Maclennan, Ruth Macdonald, Malina Liddle, Morven MacDonald and Steven Maciver, Black Isle Gaelic Choir. Picture: James Mackenzie.
A preacher at the front of the church. Picture: James Mackenzie.
A preacher at the front of the church. Picture: James Mackenzie.

“Our own Cathedral Choir were joined by the 24 members of the newly formed Inverness Cathedral Junior Choir and the Inverness Gaelic Choir too – and with the massive congregation I felt we all did the Highlands proud.

The congregation sat in the cathedral. Picture: James Mackenzie.
The congregation sat in the cathedral. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Margaret Kinsman, Sign Language Interpreter. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Margaret Kinsman, Sign Language Interpreter. Picture: James Mackenzie.

“So many of us missed making music together during the pandemic, it was the real tonic that we all needed. So I look forward to welcoming all 450 back every Sunday at the cathedral.

One of the Songs of Praise cameramen. Picture: James Mackenzie.
One of the Songs of Praise cameramen. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Pointing at the camera. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Pointing at the camera. Picture: James Mackenzie.

“We look forward to seeing the results in July.”


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