The Ythan Singers sang to a packed audience on in Ellon Parish Church Kirk Centre. Their concert, "Music in May", opened with that toe-tapping number "Those Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer", bringing instant delight to the audience.
This concert covered a wide variety of musical styles from show songs to Scottish songs, new movie songs and ended with four selections from Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. Solos were performed by Carole Fox singing Ivor Novello's "Music in May", Jennifer Strachan sang an arrangement of "The Rowan Tree" by Morag Paton accompanied by Rosemary Lund on Piano and Jean Stevenson on Flute, Sheila Craggs sang "Summer Time" from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and Alison Craven sang the solo part in "On My Own" from "Les Miserables".
At the concert Carolyn Snedden, a representative for Marie Curie Cancer Care, spoke for a few minutes about the work of the charity which has been chosen by the choir to receive the proceeds. A raffle was held during the interval and raised about £200 for the charity. The concert was conducted by Morag Paton and accompanied by Rosemary Lund.
The choir will now take a break from rehearsals for the summer and begin again in late August 2009.
29 March 2009-Howe Trinity Parish Church
“An Evening with the Ythan Singers”
On Sunday 29th March 2009 the social committee of the Howe Trinity Parish Church, Alford, organised “An Evening with the Ythan Singers” to raise money for educational materials for Cambodia and Malawi.
The Ythan Singers began their concert with Handel’s glorious opening chorus from the Coronation Anthem “The King Shall Rejoice” followed by Howard Goodall’s “The Lord is My Shepherd” and John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth”. Carole Addison then took the stage for the first solo of the night singing an unusual piece by the American singer and composer, Mosie Lister; “A Storm Now and Then”.
Showing the wide variety of their music the Singers then moved to a Scottish selection of many well known tunes which got the audience tapping their feet. The second solo of the evening was “The Water is Wide” sung by our current chairperson Anne Whalley, who reminded the audience that the minister John Cook and his wife Alison had been members of the Ythan Singers, when John had been minister at Foveran and indeed the choir had sung at their wedding in Foveran Parish Church.
The concert moved on to popular songs including “You Raise Me Up”, made famous by Westlife. Returning to sacred music the choir sang two excerpts from John Rutter’s “Requiem” beginning with that glorious piece for soloist and choir “Pie Jesu”. The soloist was Jennifer Strachan.
Hazel Wilkins performed the third solo returning to Handel and singing the lyrical soprano solo “How Beautiful Are Thy Feet” from the “Messiah”. The final section was songs from the shows and the concert concluded with Howard Goodall’s beautiful and peaceful arrangement of the hymn “Love Divine”.
The concert was conducted throughout by Morag Paton and the accompanist was Rosemary Lund.
In his vote of thanks John Cook thanked the choir for a “wonderful concert” and “for bringing joy and peace to the audience”.
8 March 2009-Concert at Cruden Old Church, Cruden Bay
“Sacred Music for Spring”
Ythan Singers ready to commence the performance
The Ythan Singers held a concert of sacred music on Sunday 8th March. The concert covered many centuries of music as it included the beautiful 18th century music of George Frideric Handel; The Coronation Anthem, “The King Shall Rejoice”. Entering the 20th century the choir sang, “The Lord is My Shepherd”, by Howard Goodall, the words of which are taken from Psalm 23 and made famous as the theme tune of “The Vicar of Dibley”.
Keeping in the 20th century the choir sang excerpts from the 20th century “Requiem” by John Rutter; the text of which comes from the Missa pro Defunctis, the Book of Common Prayer and the Psalms. The choir sang this wonderful piece of music with control and beauty, whilst the haunting melody “Pie Jesu” was sung by Jennifer Strachan.
Mrs. Morag Paton conducted the concert and the organist was Mrs Rosemary Lund. Recognising their hard work and dedication they were presented with planters full of Spring flowers by the choir.
There was a collection at the door for Christian Aid. At the end of the concert the Minister Roger Neilson said how he was sure he spoke for the whole audience in saying how much he had enjoyed the concert. He was particularly pleased to hear Jennifer singing the solo, as it was not too many years ago since he had encouraged her to join Cruden Church choir. He was delighted to hear her reach much higher – well at least to A flat!!
18 February 2009 Concert at St. Andrews Church Guild, Fraserburgh
On Wednesday 18th February, the Ythan Singers presented a concert to the Guild of St Andrews Church, Fraserburgh which encompassed a wide variety of music.
The concert began with a lively Scottish selection of the “Dashing White Sergeant”, “Mairi’s Wedding” and the “Uist Tramping Song”. However, no Scottish selection is complete without some songs by Robbie Burns; the choir sang “A Man’s a Man” followed by our first soloist, Carole Addison singing “Mary Morrison”. The concert continued with songs from the twentieth century; “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” by Mary Donnelly and “You Raise Me Up” made famous by Westlife. The second soloist for the evening was Hazel Wilkins opening the show section with the beautiful song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Jerome Kern. This section included “Who Will Buy” from Oliver, “Tell Me It’s Not True” from Blood Brothers and ending with that fast tongue twister “The Rhythm of Life” from the Broadway musical Sweet Charity.
However it is no doubt that what brought the house down was Carol Fox’s rendering of “The Egg” which was first performed in the 1920s by the Fol-de-Rols Concert Party. This song tells us the fate of an egg cooked for breakfast, cleverly interweaving recognisable tunes and told so dramatically by Carol.
A Spokeswoman for the Guild commented “that the music had been uplifting, a truly enjoyable evening”.
In January 1980, a group of singers from local churches planned a performance of Stainer's "Crucifiction" for easter of that year. Subsequently, the performance was repeated at three different churches during the year. As invitations to sing at other events came in, the Ythan Singers was born. At that time the Musical Director was Gerald Hill followedby David Taylor, Jane Grime and, for a short time, Alison Young. The present Musical Director, Morag Paton, took over in 1988. Rosemary Lund has been the accompanist throughout the whole period.
Photo by kind permission of Edward Bartlett
The repertoire of Ythan Singers is varied, from oratorios and other classical music, folk music especially Scottish, songs from the musicals and semi pop music.
Although based in Ellon, Ythan Singers performs in venues within resonable travelling distance within Aberdeenshire and sometimes outwith the area. The venues are varied ranging from Churches, National trust properties, sheltered housing units and residential homes.
Unless otherwise stated the contents of this web site are Copyright of Ythan Singers which is a charity registered in Scotland, Number SC038223. Where copyright is held by others, its use within this web site is with the copyright owner's prior permission. Should you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Ythan Singers or the Webmaster.
In January 1980, a group of singers from local churches planned a performance of Stainer's "Crucifiction" for easter of that year. Subsequently, the performance was repeated at three different churches during the year. As invitations to sing at other events came in, the Ythan Singers was born. At that time the Musical Director was Gerald Hill followedby David Taylor, Jane Grime and, for a short time, Alison Young. The present Musical Director, Morag Paton, took over in 1988. Rosemary Lund has been the accompanist throughout the whole period.
