Glasgow choir finds its new voice by launching ‘virtual’ performances
ACITY choir has found new ways to keep the music playing despite current lockdown restrictions. The Glasgow Phoenix Choir, who usually perform on average 20 concerts a year, has moved into the world of virtual concerts.
A spokeswoman for the choir said: “As a group of 120 singers, we followed Scottish Government advice to stop meeting from midMarch and so had to abandon our usual programme of rehearsals and concerts.
“While all choir members were distressed about this, it was particularly hard on our new conductor, Cameron Murdoch, in his first season at the helm.
“He showed true leadership skills in his gracious and pragmatic handling of the disruption.”
The spokeswoman added: “The choir had been working hard in preparation for our April concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as well as for all the other concerts due to take place up to the middle of June.
“Fortunately, our YouTube co-ordinator, Jo di Lieto, had decided to record our last full concert, in Rutherglen United Reformed Church, to create more material to add to Facebook and the choir’s YouTube channel.
“She and her husband Glauco edited the material to produce two short ‘virtual’ as compensation for events.
“The first of these was released to coincide with the date of our Glasgow Royal Concert Hall spring concerts in April and the second to coincide with a special VE Day concert on the Isle of Bute on May 9.”
The Glasgow
Phoenix concerts cancelled
Choir says its virtual shows were also done in a bid to say a special thank you.
The spokesman explained: “Both are ways of saying thanks to choir members and our audiences, but the second says a special thank-you to the NHS and all key workers currently striving to care for all of us at this very difficult time.”
The first concert can be found online at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8taNeeiN38s
You can also view the second online at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=DiWvGr2Qfis
For further information about the choir and to hear music from the back catalogue you can visit the group’s website online at http://www.phoenixchoir.org/