A Message from Andy Pearson

A Message from Andy Pearson, President of the Strathchmaber Trust

DSC07772The choir started the year with a flurry of activity.  An early rise was necessary to be warmed up and in position in Jordanhill Parish Church for Radio 4’s live ten past eight service on Sunday 19 January.  The broadcast went without a hitch and we received plaudits from all across the country with particular praise for the plainsong arrangement of Gens Cambrina, the story of St Kentigern.  The staff of BBC Scotland were also very complimentary and it was a pleasure to work with them again.

Just six days later we found ourselves participating in the opening ceremony at the Sainsbury International Athletics event in Glasgow’s newest indoor sports stadium, the Emirates Arena.  Our a capella version of Flower of Scotland, for which the dynamic could have been “come cornamuse”, was warmly received by the capacity crowd and greatly appreciated by the event organisers.  Their donation to choir funds was greatly appreciated by us.

We are now fully immersed in preparation for our Easter Cathedral trip.  This year we are heading for Lincoln at the beginning of April for a full Friday to Monday weekend.  This is a stretch for us, both physically and financially, and this is where we would be extremely grateful for your support.  We would like to raise at least £750 to assist our student members with the cost of the trip.  We really appreciate their commitment to the choir and the vitality and enthusiasm which they bring to our performances, both in concerts and in the services of worship on the Cathedral weekend.  The funds raised will go towards the students’ costs of travel, accommodation and food for the weekend and any surplus will support the ongoing work of the choir.

DSC02050Please, if you can, make a donation to support the students in this adventure.  It is an exciting opportunity to enjoy a unique experience for them.  All contributions, large and small, will be a help.  If you would like to give cash or a cheque and you are within reach of Glasgow please put them in an envelope marked “LINCOLN DONATION” and hand to Alan Tavener, Karen More or Andy Pearson.  If this is not possible but you can make a donation on line then please visit the donation page on our website www.strathchamber.org     It really is as easy as buying a book from Amazon, but without the difficulty of choosing the book.  If you can register with us for Gift Aid that’s even better – in fact 25% better.

I do hope you will be able to help.  If you want to get in touch with other suggestions for support please email me on president@strathchamber.org

Thanks for your continued support and good wishes.  Other dates for your diaries worth noting are:

  • Sunday 16 March at 3.30pm, Choral Evensong in St Bride’s Episcopal Church (Hyndland, Glasgow);
  • Sunday 4 May at 4.30pm, Concert in St Mary’s Church (Haddington, East Lothian);
  • Friday 6 June at 9.00pm, Concert in St Peter’s RC Church (Partick, Glasgow).

First Rehearsals for 2012-13

A new season is upon us with the first rehearsal on Tuesday 11th September 2012 at 7.30pm in R345 in the Royal College building at the University of Strathclyde. Please arrive early to register and pick up music. The rehearsal the following week on the 18th September will also be in R345.