Welcome to the Garleton Singers Website
The Garleton Singers choir is based in East Lothian and was founded in 1970 by Catherine Welsh, who remained its Musical Director until 1995, when Stephen Doughty was appointed and remains in the post today. Our 'home' venue is the beautifully-restored medieval Church of St Mary in Haddington but the choir gives regular performances further afield. We toured the Rhine Valley in Germany in 2004, and in 2005 performed Verdi’s Requiem with the St Andrews Chorus and Mozart’s Requiem with the Edinburgh Philharmonic Orchestra in their respective cities. We present a diverse range of music, usually preparing three concerts a year of works ranging from the classic chorales to those of more modern composers and on the lighter side, carols, operatic choruses and arrangements of modern popular songs.
2008 Programme
Our two concerts in the spring of 2008 were a great success. The percussionists brought in for Carmina Burana provided a resounding foundation for the virtuoso piano playing by Chick Lyall and Stuart Hope. Special mention must be made of Carie Swainson's exciting timpani. The soloists - Phoebe Gourlay, Phil Gault and Mike Towers - gave thrilling performances, but were matched in enthusiasm by the choir. The appreciation of the audience for the singers was matched by that engendered by Stuart and Chick when they dismantled one of the grand pianos to get at a stray bolt causing one of the notes to stick. A spontaneous round of applause by the packed audience when they stuck the piano back together again made it one of the most memorable concerts in recent years.
In May the Garleton Singers explored The Italian Collection - a glorious programme of Vivaldi, Monterverdi and Gabrielli, with sterling support from the Philomusica of Edinburgh, led by Lawrence Dunn. One audience member commented that it was excellent to hear so many of the Garleton Singers themselves singing solo parts to such a high standard. Vivaldi's Gloria, echoing through St Mary's on a clear summer's evening, left the audience enchanted. We look foward to singing the Glorai again with the Philomusica as part of the Edinburgh Fringe on August 24th.
The Choir's Annual dinner was held at the end of May and provided us all with a chance to catch up, and also hear extracurricular songs (for which read anarchy and naughtiness set to dodgy music) from some of our more stalwart members. Thanks go to the Gothenburg in Prestonpans for the excellent meal and service.
Latest News
We are thrilled to have been asked by the Philomusica of Edinburgh to sing Vivaldi's Gloria as part of their concert for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on August 24th.
Members of Garleton Singers should note that the rehearsal for this concert will be held in the Town House, Haddington on 20th. August from 7.30 to 9.30pm. The concert itself will be in St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh. There will be a short rehearsal on the evening before the concert, the time of which will be given at the main rehearsal. If you require music before the rehearsal contact Sadie Maskery (sadie01@gmail.com) to arrange pickup.
The Garleton Singers AGM will be held in the Town House, Haddington on the 1st of September at 7.30pm. A number of committee members are standing down. Anyone wishing to join the committee should contact the Chair, Alan Faulkner.
