The pipes, the pipes are calling! Renowned piper Steven Blake and City of Edinburgh organist John Kitchen join 450 singers of all ages as they breathe life into iconic classical and pop, upturn ancient folk music and celebrate the legendary Scottish musical absurdist Ivor Cutler.
Celebrating the end of its 6th year together, the largest community choir in the UK – Love Music Community Choir – is delighted to share the Usher Hall stage with the 150-strong Love Music Junior Choir of 8-12 year olds from across Edinburgh which was launched in September last year. Both choirs are run in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Usher Hall. Directed by award-winning composer and educationalist Stephen Deazley, and accompanied by Scottish jazz-folk legend Dave Milligan on piano, the choirs’ focus is on inclusivity, diversity and open access to exceptional-quality musical experiences.
Young, up and coming piper, Steven Blake, has developed a radical choral reinvention of Canntaireachd – an ancient sung method of teaching Pibroch, music primarily played on the Highland bagpipes – which we’ll be premiering at the concert. Edinburgh’s City Organist John Kitchen joins the choir for the first time, performing music by Scotland’s comic absurdist Ivor Cutler and a classic extract from Fauré’s Requiem. Love Music Junior Choir will take centre stage to perform its own set, with both choirs joining together in a memorable and rousing finale.
Love Music Choirs provide fun, inclusive and inspiring experiences for people from any background. There are no auditions or requirements for previous experience, and choir members can expect to sing a wide range of music from across the world and in many different styles and languages, specially arranged for them by Stephen Deazley. They work with professional musicians in rehearsal and performance, and learn about different styles of singing and musical expression. The powerful and positive effect of singing – and singing together – on their members’ health and wellbeing is an important aspect of the choirs’ ethos, and the benefits of mixing with people from all walks of life and of all ages are evident in the friendships made and joy expressed at rehearsals and performances.
We’re constantly amazed by this wonderful community of singers, by their enthusiasm, their love of singing, receptiveness to new musical ideas and styles, and by the sheer expressive joy that comes from the stage. Our collaborations are always meaningful and musically adventurous, and this term is certainly no exception… to sing with the wonderful Usher Hall organ and create new work with one of Scotland’s finest young pipers will definitely be one of my highlights of the year.”
Stephen Deazley, Love Music Artistic Director
Love Music Junior Choir receives generous support from the City of Edinburgh Council and Usher Hall, Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative fund, and donations from many charitable trusts and individuals. Thanks to this support, Love Music is able to offer half of the choir memberships free of charge to families who would otherwise be unable to afford to attend, alongside providing assistance with travel costs where required.