SERIES On Wings Of Song

There’s excitement in Kildartie as the Gala Day arrives.

WHEN Rodney mentioned the possibility of the choir performing at the Kildartie Gala Day, several people had intimated that they would not be available.

Two were booked on cruises, and there were three different weddings to which members had been invited.

But enough people were free for him to assemble a balanced choir.

“We’ll do a few numbers from the repertoire,” he said. “No solos, though. It’ll be in the open air, and that can be challenging for a single voice. Apparently, we’ll be under a kind of canopy in case it rains.”

“It never rains at the Gala,” one brave soul said.

This was greeted with laughter and scepticism.

“You’re right, of course,” Rodney said with mock seriousness. “It’s merely a precaution.”

The forecast for the day of the Gala was vague. It could be wet, it could be dry, or a bit of both. The forecasters were definitely hedging their bets.

“That’s Scotland for you.” Lizzie sighed. “Life is a constant journey into the unknown. At least we don’t have to wear our uniforms. It means I can take a jacket with a hood.”

“And a fleece lining,” Pamela said in lugubrious tones.

In fact, the day of the Gala dawned as the forecasters had predicted. The sun kept coming and going from behind clouds, and a breeze threatened to become stronger as the day went on.

The opening ceremony was at noon, and was performed by someone from the village who had once played tennis with Andy Murray and was still basking in the experience.

From then on, events followed each other with great precision. There was a Highland Dance demonstration and a classic car exhibition. There was a fancy-dress competition and a bird of prey display.

All around the field there were stalls offering all sorts of experiences, from having your fortune told to having your face painted.

The choir was not due to perform till two, so there was plenty of time for them to enjoy themselves at the other events.

Hector Crawford was there with his wife and children, and had managed to direct them away from the Soak The Parent stand towards the bouncy castle.

Derek Duff had come along with his sons, both home from university, and was shelling out for burgers with onion and tomato ketchup. Naturally, he bought one for himself as well, holding it well away from his pale shirt.

Madge Mackintosh was there with her mother Sadie in her wheelchair, which restricted them as to which part of the field they could approach. The ground was still dry, but definitely lumpy in bits.

“Just park me here,” Sadie said, in between the burger stall and the beer tent. “I’ll not be stuck for company in a position like this. You go and sample the rest of the exhibits.”

So Madge wandered off, and found herself enjoying ice-cream while being watched by a barn owl perched on top of a pole in the bird of prey display.

By 2 p.m, the choir were all assembled and ready to perform. The Gala committee had made good their idea of having various musical items. The choir were to be preceded by a pop group from the high school, and followed by a jazz band from the next village who were looking to recruit members from Kildartie.

“Good.” Rodney nodded with satisfaction. “That will give us a broad-based audience. Right, everyone, gather round the back and we’ll have a quick warm-up. Where are Hector and George? We’re definitely short of tenors.”

Hector and George weren’t there for the warm-up, but appeared in time for the performance, both looking slightly sheepish.

“The kids insisted,” Hector said. “I wouldn’t let them Soak The Parent, so they said I had to have my face painted. Sorry, folks.”

George didn’t have his face painted, but he did have a large candy floss on a stick, which made it necessary for him to stand with his arm held out to the side over Stella’s keyboard.

Rodney cast his eyes to heaven, and started to conduct before a highly amused audience.

The weather was kind right up to the last number, when large drops of rain started to fall on top of the canopy.

“Perfect timing,” Rodney said, as they launched into a spirited rendering of “Singin’ In The Rain”.

More next week.