With Christmas just around the corner, the Edinburgh’s Christmas magic is heading out and shining a special light on the capital’s community spirit with Community Christmas, opening on 11 December! Continue reading Share your festive spirit in the brand-new Community Christmas
A funding award of £225,000 has been announced by the Life Changes
Trust and the Baring Foundation to support new and existing community
choirs across the whole of Scotland to become dementia inclusive. Continue reading Funding hits all the right notes for Scotland-wide dementia friendly choir network
Children from Ferryhill, Granton and Trinity Primary Schools are to feature in a special all-day Christmas Choirs programme on Christmas Day. Continue reading Local schools to star on Christmas Day TV
And you thought Wales only did male voice choirs?
Join us as we trade one Celtic Capital for another! Affinity Female Voice Choir, the largest female-only choir in South Wales, is bringing to Edinburgh a concert packed full of the best songs from their repertoire over the last 5 years that you won’t want to miss!
With show hits from Les Miserables, Cats and Hairspray, beautiful choral favourites by John Rutter and Eric Whitacre and, of course, some of the fabulous songs of both our great countries, we’re sure there’s something for everyone in this afternoon delight.
The 40-strong choir will come to you direct from Edinburgh Castle where they will perform the previous day, and with experience of performing in some of the most prestigious venues in Wales (and on BBC television!) you are promised a high-quality showcase event.
If you think only Male Voice Choirs from Wales can hit the heights then think again as these ladies know how to entertain!
Conducted by Diane Wright and accompanied by Benjamin Teague.
Tickets available at www.eventbrite.co.uk. Also available from affinitychoir@gmail.com, or 07837 088199.
Limited seating available – book now! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/affinity-choir-on-tour-tickets-35963109629
The UK’s body for championing participation in creative cultural activities, Voluntary Arts, has launched the Epic Awards
Thousands of people across the UK give up their time to share their passion for arts and creative activities. Leading groups of young and old, these people improve the lives of millions of people across the country.
The Epic Awards offer the opportunity to celebrate and reward these volunteers and groups and spread the word about the huge range of activities enriching our lives in all areas of Scotland.
https://youtu.be/Ncad5dgSv2U
Are you involved in an arts or crafts group that is doing something new and interesting? Have you struck up an interesting collaboration, inspired others or solved a problem in your home town?
From singing to knitting, amateur dramatics to painting, over 60,000 amateur arts groups across the UK and Republic of Ireland are making a difference to lives in their local areas. The Epic Awards shines a spotlight on their achievements.
You can nominate your group for an award by filling in the form on www.epicawards.co.uk and put them forward for national recognition and a range of prizes from financial support to advice, partnership and performance opportunities.
Winning groups have usually run initiatives or activities that involve interesting collaborations, or engage with their local community or beyond, undertake creative activity that inspires others or increases participation, or use new ideas in innovative ways.
Last year’s Scottish winner, Kirkcudbright Art and Crafts Trail (below), is a volunteer-led arts trail which has grown to include over 100 venues filled with work created by over 200 participants attracting audiences from far and wide.
Kirkcudbright Art and Crafts Trail’s Pauline Saul reflected on what winning the Epic Award meant for the group. She said: “We were delighted to be short listed for the Epic Award for Scotland. When the email came saying that we had won we were extremely proud of our achievement, wanting to run outside and tell everyone!
“The Epic Award has given the trail some good publicity through local papers and town folk have been really pleased both for us and for Kirkcudbright. Following the Epic Award we have grown in confidence, and become more forward thinking, planning a Christmas event and our theme for 2016.”
Last year’s runner-up in Scotland DD8 Music is a group run by volunteers in Kirriemuir, which provides free lessons, jams and recording equipment for young people. DD8 Music also picked up the UK wide award for exceptional work with young people.
The public have their chance to vote and award a prize to one of the shortlisted groups through The People’s Choice Award. Last year’s winners were Knitted Knockers UK, a group of over 650 people across the UK who co-ordinate online to create and send 100 per cent cotton breast prostheses to women who have had mastectomies.
Jemma Neville, director of Voluntary Arts Scotland, said: “The Epic Awards demonstrate the scale and diversity of self-led creative cultural activity in Scotland. From volunteer-led festivals to community radio stations, and poetry groups to choirs, there are creative people across the country with the passion and initiative to provide opportunities for people to take part in voluntary arts activity. I strongly encourage groups thinking of applying to do so.”
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Voluntary Arts Epic Awards showcase excellent examples of inclusive and local participation in the arts and the initiative and drive of many dedicated volunteers across the country who set up and run thousands of arts and cultural groups.
“Voluntary arts contribute much to Scotland’s rich and varied cultural life and Voluntary Arts Scotland’s support helps enable more people to get involved in creative activities.
“These awards demonstrate an ongoing commitment to ensuring that communities across Scotland are supported to create and participate so that all the hard work and imagination that contribute to the cultural life of our communities, often undertaken by volunteers, is recognised.
“I’m looking forward to hearing more about the exciting work taking place the length and breadth of Scotland in the run up to this year’s awards and encourage Scottish nominations to be put forward.”
The Epic Awards are supported by Spirit of 2012, an independent trust created to sustain the spirit and opportunities from London 2012, and are themselves supporting BBC Get Creative. Spirit has also helped to create two new categories of Epic Award as well as the Epic Places project. Voluntary Arts also acknowledges funding from Arts Council England, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and Arts Council Northern Ireland.
Debbie Lye, chief executive of Spirit of 2012, said: “We at Spirit are delighted to be supporting the Epic Awards again in 2016. I was blown away by the sheer breadth of high-quality award nominations last year – it’s clear we’ve got a voluntary arts scene to be proud of.
“The Epic Awards really do showcase the cream of the UK and Ireland’s amateur artistic and cultural crop, and I am eager to see who’s in the running in 2016. Best of luck!”
Remember that closing date for nominations: Monday 7 December
Lord Provost says ‘thanks’ to city volunteers
Edinburgh’s magnificent volunteers will be recognised for their crucial contribution to local life at the Lord Provost’s Community Garden Party 2015 in the grounds of Lauriston Castle tomorrow.
Stockbridge-based LifeCare Edinburgh and Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club, two organisations which support the independence and wellbeing of older people in Edinburgh, will be presented with ‘Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service’ by the Lord Provost Donald Wilson at the event.
They will be joined by a guest list featuring dedicated workers from the city’s third sector, community council members, Edinburgh British Empire Medal recipients and local philanthropists in the castle grounds as a ‘thank you’ for their contribution to community life.
Sponsored by Virgin Money, more than 400 people are expected to attend the celebration to enjoy afternoon tea on the lawn, with live music from local Edinburgh choirs and pipe bands.
Members of the Lauriston Castle Living History Group, suitably costumed in Edwardian dress, will treat guests to tours of the visitor attraction which are open to the public throughout the year.
The Lord Provost, who is also the city’s Volunteering Champion, said: “I want this celebration to recognise and reward those who make a positive contribution to our great city – particularly the unsung heroes who give up their time tirelessly for others and for the good of their local community. I look forward to welcoming guests to the fantastic Lauriston Castle, and to presenting awards on behalf of the Queen to two of Edinburgh’s great volunteer organisations.
“I hope an event like this helps to promote this gem of a venue and that guests are encouraged to come back. I am extremely grateful to Jayne-Anne Gadhia and everyone at Virgin Money for the tremendous support and their ongoing commitment to the city.”
Su Millar, Chief Executive of LifeCare (Edinburgh) Limited, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be presented with an award from the Lord Provost on behalf of the Queen, and proud to be one of two organisations to receive this prestigious award.
“It is humbling to have the excellent work of our volunteers recognised in this way and we are all really looking forward to meeting with the Lord Provost and all of the other guests at the Community Garden Party at Lauriston Castle.”
The Lord Provost’s Community Garden is a bi-annual event first held in 2013. Broughton High School pupil Anna McLuckie entertained guests that day and the talented young harpuist went on to receive acclaim on BBC’s The Voice.
Congratulations to Craigroyston Primary School choir
Craigroyston Primary School children flew the flag for North Edinburgh at The Assembly Rooms in George Street when they took part in the inaugural Edinburgh Glee Challenge last week.
The Frisson Foundation charity’s vision is to get every primary school child in Scotland singing, and back in 2013 they held their first GLEE event in Fife. Glee has been a real phenomenon and the event proved a huge success. Since then the idea has continued to grow in popularity and last week’s competition was the first event to be staged in the capital.
Craigroyston’s young singers warmed up for the event at the opening of the school’s popular art exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts – where they performed brilliantly without a backing track!
Joining Craigroyston at the event were Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce, Carrick Knowe Primary School, Clovenstone Primary School and Clermiston Primary School, and after some excellent performances Clermiston were crowned champions.
Congratulations to Clermiston, but well done too to Craigroyston and all the other participants. No doubt they’ll be joined by a few more next year – don’t stop believin’!
For more information on the charity – www.frissonfoundation.org.uk
The Edinburgh Police Choir is looking to recruit new tenors to its ranks. We are arguably the most exciting and innovative contemporary choir in Scotland, made up of police officers, support staff and members of the local community.
The choir started in 2008, and has performed at some cracking venues, including the Festival Theatre, Usher Hall, the SECC, Scottish Parliament and as far afield as New York. More recently the choir finished in 6th place at the 2014 BBC Choir of the Year adult category, and in 2nd place at the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition last month, although most of our performances raise money for charity.
If you can hold a tune, don’t mind working hard and would like to perform great material in some fabulous venues, then get in touch to arrange to meet the choir. We rehearse in north-west Edinburgh on Sunday evenings.
email us at edinburghpolicechoir@gmail.com
check out our website at www.edinburghpolicechoir.com
or ring 07971920435
Edinburgh’s largest community choir is about to take shape in a new collaboration between Love Music Productions and the Usher Hall. Love Music Community Choir hopes to attract 250 enthusiastic singers to Edinburgh’s premier concert hall. The first choir session takes place on Tuesday 5 February.
The choir is open to anyone who wants and loves to sing. There are no auditions and no age restrictions (although anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Everyone is welcome, whether complete beginners or regular crooners.
A range of music will be enjoyed and programming will reflect the broad presentation of concerts at the Usher Hall. World, jazz, classical, rock and indie, folk, gospel, opera and all things in-between.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Convenor of Culture & Leisure commented: “I’m sure there are lots of would-be singers in Edinburgh who would really enjoy this opportunity to come out and join in. So I hope they won’t be shy but take the first step and get in touch”.
Love Music Director and the choir’s conductor, Stephen Deazley said: “We’re delighted that the Usher Hall is joining with us in this exciting new project, opening up this wonderful venue to the people of Edinburgh so that we can sing together and inspire each other with amazing music”.
The choir will meet every Tuesday with the first meeting taking place on Tuesday 5 February from 7pm – 9pm.
For further details and to register, visit www.choir.lovemusic.org.uk
St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church in Comely Bank is recruiting new members for their choir.
If you enjoy taking part in regular concerts, evensong and choral services St Ninians would love to hear from you!
For further information contact Director of Music Wayne Weaver by email at music@stninians-edinburgh.org or telephone 315 3163.
