As choral signing enjoys a renaissance, a new choral group has been established in the Highlands and will perform its inaugural programme of concerts in Dornoch and Inverness in November.

And while The Troilus Ensemble (TE) may be a new entity, it certainly doesn’t lack experience as it brings together a group of professional and semi-professional singers who have auditioned to win their place.

The end result, according to the Chairman Andrew Bruce, is an experienced group of SATB singers who together have the ability to perform ensemble pieces to a professional standard.

“We have brought together an amazing group of singers who are well balanced and the sound they produce will be outstanding. We’re already well into preparation for the inaugural programme of concerts which we are sure will be very special occasion and just the first of many.”

The Troilus Ensemble takes its name from its Artistic and Musical Director, acclaimed opera singer Reno Troilus who moved to the area with his wife and fellow opera singer Gail in 2008. Still in demand across the globe, the couple have made the Highlands their home as they raise their young family. They are behind ‘Showstopperz’, the musical production company for young people in the Highlands. Reno is also a voice lecturer at Inverness College and the Chairman of Inverness Music Society.

TE will perform primarily19th and 20th century work over three concert series each year, with two or three concerts in each series. Reno explained his vision for TE, explaining “Many of our members already perform occasional solo work and we’ve brought together an incredibly talented group of people to create what we hope will be the foremost choral group of its type in the North of Scotland. As well as the concert series each year, we will consider wider tours and ‘one off’ concerts and also hope to participate in festivals. We are keen to encourage and offer experience to younger singers. We will also offer an annual composition commission for a new choral work.”

The inaugural TE concerts will take place in November:

• Sunday 18 November, 7.30pm at Dornoch Cathedral.

• Wednesday 21 November, 7.30pm in Inverness Town House.

Tickets are available from The Old Jail in Dornoch, the Card Shop in Dingwall and the Music Shop in Inverness; reservations can be made online at sya@troilus-ensemble.com or by phone on 01381 620152

Source: Troilus Ensemble