Tain Choral Group gives singing endorsement to retiring mastermind Lydia Jackson: 'Thank you for the music!'

AN Easter Ross choral group has thanked a talented multi-instrumentalist who has masterminded many hugely appreciated shows in the county.

Tain Choral Group staged an afternoon tea to mark the retirement of musical director Lydia Jackson, who led the choir since 2002.

She was thanked by group chairman Peter Smith and presented with a beautiful silver treble clef brooch designed by Heather Smith of Inverness.

Daughter of a dad dubbed ‘the singing dentist’, she was born in Broughty Ferry and developed a love for all things musical, learning piano and cello as a child.

Lydia went on to study at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now known as The Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow from 1960 to 1964.

She taught music in Dunbartonshire and as a peripatetic teacher on North Uist before moving to Tain in 1967, teaching cello and violin at the Academy. In 1972 she co-founded The Garrick Singers (named after the local Garrick burn, bridge and hill), producing many acclaimed Gilbert and Sullivan musicals to Tain Academy and the Duthac Centre.

The Garrick Singers flourished, bringing a wide variety of productions to eager audiences. In 2018, The Garrick Singers became the Easter Ross Musical Theatre, continuing Lydia’s legacy of bringing musical joy to Tain and its environs.

In 2002 she took over as musical director of Tain Choral, devoting time and energy into supporting and inspiring two concerts a year, one at Christmas and one each Spring in the Duthac Centre and Dornoch Cathedral..

She remains an interest group leader for the Easter Ross and Sutherland u3a and before lockdown hosted music appreciation classes.

Members of Tain Choral thanked her for her leadership and commitment over the years saying it had been a real privilege to have benefitted from the expertise, dedication and patience of such a remarkably talented musician.

Tain Choral are now looking for a new musical director and would be delighted to hear of anyone suitably qualified for this position who may be interested to find out more.

The group has a Facebook page.

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