The 2009-10 and 2010-2011 KCS "seasons" were some of the most successful for many years with all concerts being enthusiastically received by "sell-out" audiences. Under the leadership of its new Director and Conductor, Michael Appleford, the KCS has significantly enhanced its musical programmes, and its reputation, with exciting performances that have been professionally supported by Borders Brass and the Stewartry Chamber Orchestra.
Details of forthcoming Concerts and Affiliated Events can be found on this Current Concerts page, while past performances and programmes can be viewed via our Past Concerts page.
New members are always welcome to join the Society, and should contact Pamela Bayes, our Membership Secretary, would be delighted to tell you more about membership. Please contact her at 01557 331292. The forthcoming 2011-2012 season starts in September and:
SPRING Concert Rehearsals start 7.30pm MONDAY 9th January 2012
2012 SPRING CONCERT: “Carmina Burana”
21/04/2012, Cochran Hall, Kirkcudbright Academy
For the Spring Concert, Kirkcudbright Choral Society is performing the ever popular “Carmina Burana”, composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936. The composition is based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana, with the best-known movement being "Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi" ("O Fortuna") that opens and closes the piece.
Carmina Burana represents one of the few box office certainties in 20th-century music, and the KCS is again supported in this exciting performance by the Stewartry Chamber Orchestra and soloists.
2012 CONCERT of CAROLS and CHRISTMAS MUSIC
09/12/2012, Kirkcudbright Parish Church
For the 2012 Christmas concert, Kirkcudbright Choral Society returns to the familiar surroundings of Kirkcudbright Parish Church for a concert that includes a choral work, and traditional and modern carols. Further details will be available shortly.
Fund Raising Events
To support the choral programmes and to sustain the high level of concert performances, the KCS organises various fund-raising events.
"Soup-and-Sweet Lunch": The next fund-raising event is a celebratory "Soup-and-Sweet Lunch" that is linked with the Society's 120th anniversary, and takes place between 12.00 and 2.00pm on Friday 17th February 2012, at the Bowling Green Club House in Kirkcudbright. Tickets are available form KCS members and at the door.
Art Raffle: Also, as part of the 120th anniversary celebration, members of the Kirkcudbright Choral Society have arranged a fund-raising event in the form of a uniquely attractive raffle. For this event, the Society has commissioned the well-known Dumfries and Galloway artist Davy Brown to provide one of his original oil paintings entitled “Sunset Clouds, Arran”.
Images of the painting have been reproduced on the front of numbered, post card-sized tickets that can be purchased for just £2.00 each. Each £2.00 purchase will be entered into a draw for this magnificent, 32" by 32" framed painting by Davy Brown, valued at £3,500.
Funds raised by this exceptional raffle will make a valuable contribution towards the financial security of Kirkcudbright Choral Society in its continual endeavours to produce high-quality musical programmes and concert performances.
The winning number will be drawn on the night of the Society's Spring Concert on 21st April 2012, at the 7:30pm performance of “Carmina Burana” in the Cochran Hall, Kirkcudbright Academy.
Post-card tickets for the raffle are available either from Choral Society members, at Lily Knowles Florist on St. Cuthbert Street, Kirkcudbright where the original painting is on display, or from Pamela Bayes, KCS Secretary.
Please contact Pamela Bayes, KCS Secretary, who will be delighted to tell you more about these events. Please contact her at at 01557 331 292 or secretary@kirkcudbrightchoralsociety.org.uk.
Affiliated Events
The Kirkcudbright Choral Society is associated with other musical performances in Kirkcudbright, and these include Music for All and Gentle Jazz.
Music for All is an annual fund-raising event for KCS, with an emphasis on soloists and small music ensembles. Performances involve a wide range of music, including excerpts from grand opera, songs from shows and films, piano music and jazz. This annual summer event is a fitting end to Kirkcudbright's Summer Festivities. For further programme details and ticket information, please contact: Dennis Middleton on telephone number 01557 330456 or by e-mail at dennis.middleton@virgin.net
Gentle Jazz is a jazz quintet led by Geoff Keating on piano and saxophone, with John Fenner on guitar, Howard Bradley on bass and Fergus Henderson on drums, with vocalist Terri Farley. Guest singers include Sean Rea who also plays jazz harmonica. For further programme details and ticket information, please contact Geoff Keating on telephone number 01557 814376 or by e-mail at gmk.gof@tiscali.co.uk
Geoff Keating is also conductor of the Solway Sinfonia.
