Strathpeffer Pavilion, 10 May 2008

Katie MacKenzie

THE MEMBERS of Dingwall Choral Society were in fine fettle when they sang a programme of choruses, mostly drawn from major works that the choir had performed during the forty years or so of their existence.

Even with just a handful of men to sing the tenor and bass parts, the balance of the total forces was remarkably good. Why do so few men want to be in choirs nowadays?

The choir’s conductor, Norman Bolton, drew every ounce of quality and tonal excellence from the singers throughout the evening. The piano accompanist was the always musically reliable Aileen Fraser.

Well-loved items from Requiems by Brahms, Fauré, and Mozart were greeted with loud applause by the large audience. It’s as well that we can enjoy such choruses in concert without associating them too strongly with the sacred associations they have.

The special and popular guest for the evening was Katie Mackenzie from Dingwall. Many will know that Katie has just completed her University course, and in her spare time plays her Clarsach and sings regularly throughout Scotland. Her singing and playing have taken her to Balmoral, Edinburgh and Stirling Castles, where she has performed for Royalty and top politicians.

Katie played a Phil Cunningham reel called ‘Monday Morning’, ‘Tickled Pink’ by harpist Savourna Stevenson, ‘Fly and Dodger’ by Irish-American fiddler Liz Carroll, and two traditional pieces, ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ and an unaccompanied Puirt. It is well worth mentioning that the small Clarsach Katie was using sounded magnificent in the Pavilion acoustic.

The choir also sang two choruses by John Rutter, ‘Magnificat’ and ‘Feel the Spirit’, which included ‘Joshua Fought the battle of Jericho’ and ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. The audience were invited to join in the latter chorus, and responded with gusto, fervour, and zest.

© Arthur Brocklebank, 2008

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