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Our Story

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Stirling Gaelic Choir was founded in 1948 and could more realistically be called the Central Scotland Gaelic Choir, as its 40 plus membership travel to rehearsals from Balfron to Glenrothes, Bonnybridge to Crieff, and all parts in between.

We are a very sociable choir and we welcome new singers at all times; anyone with an interest in the tradition of Gaelic song is welcome. There is no auditioning process; we simply look for people who are interested in choral singing and who are willing to make a commitment to developing their skill in singing and in learning the Gaelic of the songs. Language coaching and tuition is provided and members are not required to be Gaelic speakers. The minimum age for joining us is 17 and we do not have an upper age limit. New members are linked with a "buddy," an experienced choir member who supports them in the first months.

Our conductor, Jane McQueen, hails from Islay and has sung for many years with the Glasgow Islay choir. She has had great success with the Islay junior choir, which she conducted for many years, and hopes that her senior choir will bring her similar positive results.

Catherine Duthie, our deputy conductor, joined the choir in 2018. She grew up in Minnesota but moved to Scotland in 2013. With a bachelors in music theory and composition, and a masters in IGS, she has been making music for a very long time, but is an enthusiastic newcomer to the world of Gaelic song.
 

Anne Steven, our Gaelic reader, lives in Perth where she teaches a Gaelic class at the local college. Formerly from Lewis, Anne is a retired teacher and has sung with the choir for many years.

Having won the Margrat Duncan Competition four times, the choir graduated to the premier Senior Choir Competition, the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, which it won at Aviemore in 1969, along with the Ladies Choral Competition.

In more recent times, the choir has won the Puirt-a-Beul Competition twice at the National Mod and has gained two First places for music in The Lovat and Tullibardine. The male voice choir won the Cor Melbion Bro Glyndwar Trophy for highest marks in music on three occasions and the ladies choir gained a First equal for Gaelic. The choir also went on to win the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy again in 2018 and 2019.


The choir has produced and encourages soloists, duets, quartets and folk groups, all of which have had a high degree of success: five Gold Medals, three Silver Pendants, and first and runner-up prizes in other competitions at National Mods.

The choir holds an annual concert, usually in April. More information can be found on the Events page.


Over the years, the choir has performed on radio for the BBC and on television for both BBC and STV. We have also taken part in several civic receptions for visiting dignitaries on behalf of Stirling Council and we sing regularly in local charity concerts. 

 

We love travelling and we have, in recent years, made friends with choirs in Britanny and Catalunya.

 

The choir welcomes new members from all cultures, creeds, and sexual and gender orientations.

The rehearsal premises are accessible for people with disabilities.

Members can apply for fee reduction or for financial support for participation in competition events if costs would otherwise exclude them from participating in the choir.

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