Kate Wilson
I inherited my love of singing from my mother and I’ve been singing in choirs from an early age.
I joined Ayr Choral Union’s second soprano section over 30 years ago. I found choral singing to be an escape from the bustle of family life and the pressures of work – there is no time to think of anything other than the music and there is no feeling equal to the ultimate high of singing a large choral work with a professional orchestra.
Over the years, our choir has taken part in many outstanding performances of a wide range of both small and large scale works , from the well-known oratorios to contemporary pieces. The choir is friendly and although some rehearsals can be challenging, help is always available and includes current on-line resources.
We are fortunate that we attract a team of high-quality conductors and accompanists and we receive huge support from our Patron, Sir James McMillan
Margaret Crankshaw
I’ve been lucky enough to sing alto with Ayr Choral for nearly 40 years, and have taken on a few roles in that time – the most exciting being the compilation of a history of the 140 year old choir. As a choral singing nerd, I’ve happily explored choral repertoire in choirs in Harrogate, Vaison La Romaine, Troon, Dalkeith, and Cumnock to name a few, but Ayr Choral has always been a home base which offers musical challenge, fulfilment, and friendship.
Marion Andrews
Paul Wilson
Kevin Watt
Roger Clark
After more than 20 years singing with the Ayr Amateur Opera Company and almost 15 years with the church choir I’ve recently joined Ayr Choral and I am enjoying learning the wider variety of music.
As one who doesn’t read music this has been a challenge, but getting shown how to breathe correctly and how to improve your voice production has been a great help.
I have been made very welcome, and it’s a pleasure to sing with a larger group and with professional soloists and musicians.
Andrew Duffin
Many years ago in another life, I did a great deal of singing; I sang quite a few of the standard choral works as a boy treble. After Uni I had many years with no singing at all – until someone inveigled me into the Ayr Choral to sing Mozart’s
Requiem. Learning it all again – this time from the back row! – I realised how much I had missed it, and I’ve been a member for several years now, enjoying music old and new, always learning, and making many new friends. It is a joy to have a couple of hours each week when you don’t have to think of anything except the music, and I would recommend it to anyone. This is a friendly choir, and we’ve sung works ancient and modern; all of it has its merits even if sometimes it take a few rehearsals to discover them. It’s most rewarding to be part of it all, and to know that I am playing my part in keeping this great cultural tradition alive.
Linda Somerville
I joined Ayr Choral in 2013 because they were going to perform Verdi Requiem that year.I have since found plenty of enjoyment and challenge in singing a wide variety of choral pieces and songs in lovely venues such as St Giles,Edinburgh and a visit to France with the choir. I have always enjoyed singing. Apart from the choir I also sing with Ayrshire opera experience, Scots opera project,Cumnock Tryst festival chorus and a trio who sing locally. Ayr Choral is a friendly welcoming choir and has added another dimension to my singing experience.
Janie Maxwell
Margaret Mowat
Shona Mitchell
Ian Young
Alasdair Smith