Conductor of Black Isle Gaelic Choir, tuning up for debut at Royal National Mod, says return to in-person rehearsals is like 'coming home'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A newly formed choir with one of the most cherished conductors will make its first appearance at the Royal National Mòd.
The Black Isle Gaelic Choir will perform at a premier choir showcase in Inverness on Thursday 14 October.
The regional Gaelic choir was only formed in April of this year and are looking forward to their first ever performance at the prestigious national event.
Like many other singing groups, the choiristors were only able to practice via zoom initially, but have recently switched to in-person rehearsals and are revelling in the joy of singing together.
Condutor Kirtseen Maclennan has been involved with Gaelic choirs for almost 30 years and so comes to this newly formed group with a breadth of experience.
Kirsteen, who lives in Dingwall, said: “To be able to rehearse and perform live together again gives me a real sense of coming home.
"As a new choir, we are already forming that unique choral family bond through friendship and song, and to take part in the Choir Showcase at this year's mod is an honour.
"We feel it's a great way to bring Gaelic choirs back together again and showcase the fine quality of choral music and camaraderie we have in Gaeldom."
She is the daughter of Hamish Menzies who passed away earlier this year, she continued: "It’s our first performance ever, actually! We’re nervous, but very excited!”
James Graham, chief executive officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Choral singing is at the heart of the mòd experience and we are delighted to be able to welcome regional choirs including Black Isle Gaelic Choir back in person for a singing showcase. Like many of us, choristers have struggled during lockdown, but the number of groups who have managed to make online or socially distanced rehearsals work is admirable.
"Nevertheless it is truly wonderful to be able to have people once again singing together as usual, and it’s an experience that is all the more joyous for its absence.
The Royal National Mòd 2021 will take place from Friday October 8 until the 16.
A hybrid approach will see a combination of in-person concerts and competitions at the host venue of Eden Court Theatre, as well as a dynamic schedule of online performances to be broadcast throughout the week.
A number of Covid safety measures will be in place for this year’s mòd in line with government guidelines to keep audiences and performers safe, including extensive cleaning and ongoing Covid safety checks, enhanced hygiene measures, use of face masks and track and trace check ins.
Highlights of the celebration will include the major competitions An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal final and the Traditional Gold Medal.
There will also be unmissable performances from “the new sound of a traditional Scotland” Duncan Chisholm, fiddler Lauren MacColl, new outfit Staran, the famous Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band, the legendary Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart and many more.
The prestigious festival, which was founded in 1891, is supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne, The Inverness Common Good Fund and SQA.
The full programme for this year’s Royal National Mòd can be viewed at www.ancomunn.co.uk. Tickets are available to buy from Eden Court box office www.eden-court.co.uk.
Celebrate Highland heritage with an evening to remember
Dingwall Gaelic Choir on song as socially distanced rehearsal returns
Massed choir event a poignant nod to Dingwall pioneer
