By Cara Sulieman
CHOIR SINGERS across Scotland are to be offered training from one of the country’s top musicians before performing in a joint concert.
John Butt, Gardiner Chair of Music at Glasgow University, has worked with choirs and orchestras across the world.
And now he is offering amateur singers the opportunity to train for a performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass during the West End Festival in Glasgow later this month.
Workshops will be held in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth in the weeks leading up to the concert, and the singers will have just one day to perfect their performance before the show.
“Challenging”
But although it is a hard challenge for both the singers and John, he is confident they will make it.
He said: “We’ve set ourselves quite a challenge with this performance as this piece by Bach is one of the most challenging you can find.
“However, participants are always very enthusiastic and we hope to see around 150 taking part in the final concert.”
The workshops and performance are part of the Dunedin Consort’s summer programme.
Irish Baroque Orchestra
Specialising in baroque and contemporary music, the Consort have attracted critical aclaim including a Classic FM/Gramaphone Award
It has been led by Professor Butt since 2003 and is just one of his many musical projects.
A organist, harpsichordist, scholar and conductor, Butt has worked with the BBC, Irish Baroque orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Workshops for the project are being held in Aberdeen (June 13), Edinburgh (June 14), Glasgow (June 20) and Perth (June 21) – further details are available at www.dunedin-consort.org.uk.
The performance will take place in Glasgow’s Wellington Church on Saturday June 27.
