Words by Annie Jordan & Photos by Ross Donnelly
What is the hottest ticket in town? Taylor Swift at Murrayfield? Scotland v Finland at Hampden, the big send-off before the Euros?
Or could it be another real gem, in our local area?
In the east of Scotland, destination Murrayfield, it’s the hotly-anticipated Taylor Swift Eras tour opening night.
On this fine summer evening, concert-goers on foot snaking their way to the venue, traffic chaos everywhere, mile-long queues for merchandise, one crowd-pleasing hit or ‘banger’ after another: the ticket of the year.
Here in the West, it’s the same story:
Destination Dalmuir, the hotly anticipated 25th anniversary concert of Clydebank Ladies choir.
We’re 20 minutes early but already car parks are full, traffic is chaotic and concert-goers are on the pavements, roads, grass verges: everywhere, walking to the Barclay Church in single file…
No merchandise stalls but the queue for raffle tickets, teas and coffees is 10 deep and you can’t even get near the table where the celebration cake, memorabilia and photo album are on display.
Like Taylor Swift, the choir ladies have had hair, nails and makeup beautifully done and the choir sing one glorious song from the Shows after another….the hottest ticket in this town.
Unlike Taylor and her dozen outfit changes: there are no outrageous costumes but the choir are bedecked in dusky pink ombré scarves over a simple black top.
At the end of the first half, they surprise their audience during ‘All That Jazz’ by whipping out fluorescent feather boas and adding some shoulder-turning cheeky choreography to their
routine: a real crowd pleaser.
Musical Feast for the Senses
Vivien Gibson, the vivacious choir leader regales us with a delightful musical feast and encourages the audience to join in where appropriate.
Claire Johnston accompanies the choir beautifully on the piano moving seamlessly between the various genres: from the gentleness of ‘Hushabye Mountain’, ‘Secret Love’ and ‘Edelweiss’ to the energetic ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta my Hair’ and the toe-tapping ‘All That Jazz’.
The ladies were loving it and the audience loved it too.
Soloist Liz McEachan performs ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from the Sound of Music with all the solemnity and grace of the Mother Abbess.
Stunning!
Liz led the choir for over two years many years ago and has kept up the connection.
She also sang ‘For Good’, a beautiful song I had never heard before.
You could hear a pin drop.
A Family of Celebrations
Margaret Rice, one of the choir’s original members and committee member for 25 years, speaks of the fantastic feeling at the 25th anniversary concert when she realised how well supported they were: “We didn’t have enough seats out!”
Currently choir secretary, she paid tribute to her fellow choir members: “Everyone is so willing to help with everything.
“At the last AGM, I was bowled over by the many offers of help and all the creative ways the members thought of helping: from creating concert invites and programmes and a display
of choir memorabilia: photos, souvenirs and certificates…
“Eileen Kruger baked a beautiful 25th anniversary cake with roses on it like a wedding cake and musical notes down the side and some members baked cupcakes too.
“Everyone played a part, like in a family.”
Margaret told me of choir outings to many London shows, also a memorable trip to Letterkenny, culminating in a charity concert at the Mount Errigal hotel.
One favourite memory dates back to Glasgow Music Festival at the Royal Concert Hall, March 2009.
The choir had to perform two contrasting pieces: ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ and ‘All That Jazz’.
The ladies hid brightly coloured feather boas underneath their tops and shimmied in style to the surprise of the judges and the delight of their audience who “erupted.”
“I told Vivien about that special memory and we replicated it tonight,” giggled Margaret.
“The 25th anniversary will be hard to beat though,” said Margaret, as she, Nan Stevenson, Carol Lynn and Sandra Young were all presented with an engraved crystal goblet.
In addition, Provost Douglas McAllister gifted the choir a commemorative plaque with the town’s Coat of Arms and Marie McNair, MSP, gave them a framed statement from the Scottish Parliament.
Jiving and Thriving
After Covid, with only nine members left and funds severely depleted, Margaret appealed to various organisations for urgent help.
West Dunbartonshire Voluntary Services, the Provost’s Award and the Wee Robertson Trust came to their rescue.
“We are now back up to 26 members and thriving. The new members have blended in and we are like a choir family…”
Eileen Donnelly echoes Margaret’s words: “My friend Dawn and I joined the choir just over two years ago.
“We were very nervous to begin with, but the welcome was so warm and friendly.
“Margaret immediately took me under her wing and sat me in the seat next to her. There are no auditions and members can suggest songs for the repertoire.”
Eileen’s smile could light up a room.
She clearly loved her concert experience: “It was just wow,” she twinkles.
“So many people kept piling in and they gave us a standing ovation. We are all buzzing!”
In the audience we could tell they were “buzzing”: passion shone through in every number.
Eileen credits Vivien and Claire, as well as Margaret and her other companion singers with making choir night one of the highlights of her week, if not “the highlight.”
“Vivien and Claire give us such a varied repertoire and are so enthusiastic. They’ve been working together for years and their friendship shows.”
By the time the choir perform, ‘Thank You for the Music’ at the end, Vivien has us on our feet, belting out the words of the Abba tune and, as we make our way in the sunshine back to
our car, we realise we had the hottest ticket in town.
Thank you for the music!
Here’s to 25 more years!
The choir rehearses Mon 7.30pm – 9.30pm in Dalmuir Barclay Church. New members welcome.