The choir won an array of silverware in what proved its best returns since it started up nearly 40 years ago. Tomorrow night's concert will showcase their talent as well as giving people in the Far North a chance to hear gold medallists Lyle Kennedy, from Edinburgh, and Kerrie Finlay McCartney, from Dingwall.

The function in the New Weigh Inn will help promote the staging of Gaeldom's premier festival in Thurso in 2010.

Melvich Gaelic Choir comprises around 40 members from Caithness and north Sutherland. They won the rural choir competition and a trophy for highest marks in music. Conductor Raymond Bremner was awarded a baton. Melvich went on to score a first success in the Lorne Shield, the mixed choirs category in which at least a quarter of the choristers require to have passed tests of fluency in Gaelic. It had finished second in the competition at three previous Mods.

As the only mainland choir at Falkirk they were up against strong competition from Lewis and Skye but took the trophy by a single point from Back Gaelic Choir. They were also awarded further trophies for highest marks in music and a silver baton for the winning conductor.

Melvich Ladies Choir, conducted by Graham Cameron, meanwhile took home the cup for the highest aggregate marks in music in three competitions. Mr Bremner said: "We couldn't believe that we had won the puirt-a-beul competition. "The folk group went on to be runners-up in their competition and these results obviously inspired the choir."

Mr Bremner, himself a former Mod gold medallist, said the Lorne Shield has been a goal since he took over the conductor's baton in 2001. He said: "Winning the puirt-a-beul competition for a second time along with the Lorne Shield was well beyond the choir's expectations."

Other successes included soloist Philip Todd's in the competitions for traditional singing (learners) and boys' solo 16-18. The 18-year-old from Wick is now studying film-making at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Chorister Celia MacDougall, from Shebster, meanwhile won a cup and a trophy.

The retired deputy head of Wick High is currently involved with the local branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach in raising awareness of the 2010 Mod and of Gaelic culture and language in local schools.

The success at Falkirk was capped when choir members Shonagh MacLennan, (20), from Thurso, and Sarah Sutherland (19), from Reay received their Gold Cards for fluent speakers of Gaelic.

All the Melvich winners, apart from Philip, will be performing at the ceilidh tomorrow evening, which is being hosted by Alan Campbell, former head of Bord na Gaidhlig. Also taking part in the ceilidh will be Stuart Jackson, a regular Mod performer and an accomplished folk singer with his own band. Now living in Skye, he is no stranger to Caithness, having resided in the county some years ago.

Other guest artistes booked include Ronnie Murray, conductor of Lochs Gaelic Choir; Joy Dunlop, conductor of the Argyll Male Voice Choir; and David Paterson, of the Coisir Ghaidhlig Ceann an Tuirc, winners of this year's male voice choir competition.

Members of Tanya Horne School of Dancing and Caithness Junior Pipe Band will also be performing.

Guest of honour Margaret, Viscountess Thurso, a long-time supporter of the choir, will open the ceilidh and, along with An Comunn Gaidhealach board member Norma Young, present the trophies won by the Far North choir. Also present will be Murdo Morrison, marketing manager of the new Gaelic digital channel MG Alba and BBC Alba. He will be encouraging people to sign a petition calling for the channel to be available on Freeview.

Tickets for the ceilidh are available from the Caithness Courier and John O'Groat Journal office in Thurso, from choir members and at the door.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---