Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25

Subject: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: PaulS
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 01:56 PM

Advance notice of a big event - the Singers' Gathering 2007. Held this year on 24th-25th February in Bathgate, West Lothian, and organised jointly by Edinburgh & Lothians TMSA and West Lothian Council, this event brings together traditional and contemporary singers in a celebration of the evolving Scots song tradition.

The featured artists this year include: Annie Grace, Corrina Hewat and Karine Polwart; Pete Shepheard; Geordie Murison and Scott Gardiner; Gifford Lind; Brian and Siobhan Miller; and Ian Walker.

The format will be as in previous years - a mixture of concerts, workshops, discussions and sessions, all held in the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate. As in previous years, we have events for community song groups, and would welcome enquiries from such groups interested in performing at our Community Song Group Performance Platform.

More information at Scottish Community Song Groups website

Scotland has welcomed parties from the English traditional folk scene to past events such as 'Both Sides the Tweed'. Why not push on another hour north this year?

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: GUEST,PaulS
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 02:45 PM

Time for a reminder - tickets are going well for this, and large numbers of singers are signing up for the Muckle Sing - a chance to do what you enjoy best with a large group of likeminded individuals! (Stop sniggering: I'm talking about singing!). You certainly don't have to be a member of a song group to take part.

Eight different community song groups have already signed up for the Performance Platfrom.
If you are involved in a community song group, and haven't yet decided whether to come along, why not phone Susan or Paul on 01506 843592?

If your community song group is affilated to the TMSA you may be able to claim a discount on ticket prices. More information from the same number.

Programme details and downloadable information on http://www.angelfire.com/planet/scottishsonggroups/events.html
>
The bings of West Lothian look lovely in the spring sunlight...

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: Bagpuss
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 11:45 AM

As I live in Bathgate, I will certainly be coming to this!

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: JulieF
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM

Can't come - wish I had known about this sooner.

Where in Bathgate do you live Bagpuss? I've got relatives there and was born in the cottage hospital !    Haven't been up for a couple of years

Julie

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: Bagpuss
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 02:11 PM

Right on the edge of Bathgate, just of Glasgow Road, as the road heads out towards Armadale.

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: JulieF
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:33 PM

My Aunt lives on Falside - not too far away from you.

J

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: akenaton
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 06:21 PM

Are the dugs still runnin'?

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: GUEST,PaulS
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 01:07 PM

We now have over 125 singers signed up for what may be the biggest traditional song-learning workshop ever in Scotland. Out of curiosity, can anyone tell us of one that was bigger?

Still some places left for you to help us go for an all-time record!

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: Bagpuss
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 04:48 AM

I only managed to make it to the sat night concert (fabulous set of singers) and the sunday. But I had a great time exercising my lungs at the gospel session and the final singaround. It reminded me that it has been far too long since I have done any singing and I must do it more often!

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: Drumshanty
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 12:02 PM

Bagpuss, wish we'd known who you are. Tattie Bogle was one of the major organisers this time around, along with PaulS and SusanT. (I, on the other hand, got a nice badge and sat around smiling at people a lot!)

It was a great weekend, what little I saw of it. Siobhan Miller was outstanding, the Bothy Ballads workshop was sold out, the Muckle Sing was athrash with community singing groups getting a good workout from Karine Polwart, Corrina Hewat and Annie Grace, and Pete Shepherd and Ian Green's Desert Island discs was a touching stroll through their memories of how they got where they are.

Any feedback (positive and "constructive") would be greatly appreciated by the Edinburgh & Lothians branch of the TMSA

Subject: RE: Singers' Gathering , W Lothian Feb 24-25
From: PaulS
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 06:58 PM

We think we had about 160 singers working with Annie Grace, Karine Polwart and Corinna Hewatt, and they were definitely making the most of the learning opportunities. I missed most of it, being on stewarding duties elsewhere! Many of those 160 took part in the Performance Platform, showing the huge range of songs being worked on by community song groups from across quite a lot of Scotland. Thanks to SusanS of the local TMSA and chair of local song group Sangschule for drumming up such a huge level of community song group support.

As for the concert - well, let's just hope that Corrina, Karine and Annie get recording.

Otherwise - great workshops (too many clashing to make the most of them) and some really interesting and varied sessions. It was an absolutely wonderful weekend, and the biggest shame is that there probably won't be another one for a couple of years!