Paisley Festival
Item Posted: Tuesday 27th October, 2009
The festival stemmed from the hard work of a charitable federation of 12 local amateur choirs, Voices in Paisley was established in 2003 to organise and run a Choral Festival in 2004 and to prepare the way for the creation of the Paisley Festival Company. Having successfully achieved its objects they now help co-ordinate their involvement in the overall programme promoted by the Paisley Festival Company.
On the 1st, at Paisley Abbey church services will include choral singing from the Grammar School Choir. Choral song has been part of Paisley Abbey since the 12th century. Even after the Reformation, the services were sung and the 'Sang Scule' (which later became Paisley Grammar School) was formed. The choir has sung in cathedrals and broadcasts regularly on TV and radio. It has also performed and recorded with the major Scottish orchestras.
On the 7th the City of Glasgow Chorus, founded in 1983 by Director of Music Graham Taylor, will, perform Vivaldi's Gloria and Mozart's Requiem, accompanied by the Paisley Festival Orchestra. The evening's soloists will be Fiona Scott (soprano),Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (mezzo-soprano),Alistair Digges (tenor) and Stephen Fennelly (bass). The Chorus is the biggest independent choral group in the west of Scotland and a significant player in Scotland’s arts environment. The choir is known for its policy of performing less familiar pieces in the mainstream choral repertoire although on this occasion they're offering really well-known works.
There is also an informal competition atmosphere in an event where some of our finest Gaelic choirs will 'compete' to win the Provost Celia Lawson Gaelic Cup. Hosted in association with Meur Phaislig (Paisley Branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach) a lively night where the beautiful music of the Gaels takes centre stage. The whole festival rounds off, appropriately, with a Ceilidh.
More information from www.paisleyfestivalcompany.com