Renowned Scottish musicians, Dougie Maclean and Mairi Campbell are joining popular contemporary choirs InChorus and the Lothian Borders Police Choir this June to raise the rafters of the Usher Hall with a concert like no other.
In a world exclusive performance, Dougie Maclean will sing his famous Caledonia, backed by 150-strong choir voices, and Mairi Campbell will weave her poignant rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the version used in the Sex and the City film in 2008, into the choirs’ unique harmonies.
The concert, entitled Take the High Note: The Gift from Caledonia to America is on Friday 3 June at 7.30pm and tickets are available from the Usher Hall website. The event is to raise money for and awareness of the choirs’ expedition to New York this September to represent Scotland at the 10th anniversary commemorations of 9/11.
InChorus and the Lothian Borders Police Choir will bring the passion and exuberance to the show that fans have come to expect from their performances. The Take the High Note programme includes many new pieces, including Take That’s The Flood, Earth Wind and Fire’s September and Seasons of Love from the musical ‘Rent’, but does not forget the classics.
Both choirs are scheduled to take part in several concerts and 10th anniversary events in New York between 7th and 13th September, including The September Concert in Central Park and The British Memorial Garden, and are currently in discussions to sing at the main 9/11 commemorative event at Ground Zero on 11th September.
Andrew Russel, Musical Director of both choirs said, “I am delighted and honoured to be sharing the stage with Dougie and Mairi. Their music captures the beauty of Scotland, a splendour which we are so proud of. I fear there won’t be a dry eye in the house after they have both been on stage with the choir!
“The ‘Take the High Note’ concert is important to us, not only for entertaining the good people of Edinburgh but also in raising awareness of the choirs’ important contribution to the 10th anniversary commemoration of 9/11.
“We are privileged to have been invited to New York to sing for Scotland, and it is of course all the more moving, as we will be commemorating not just civilian lives, but those of the emergency services who played such an integral role and are so close to our hearts.”
The Lothian and Borders Police Choir is Scotland's first police choir. It was formed in October 2008, and has quickly grown in strength and appeal with its contemporary and original arrangements of well-known songs. The Police Choir is now in demand at events, churches, charity gigs and concerts across the country, and last month performed at The Scottish Parliament with its sister choir InChorus.
InChorus is a 100-strong choir from Peebles which is used to drawing large crowds. Both choirs were started at the same time by Andrew Russel, an Edinburgh police officer who lives in Peebles.
Scotland's finest singer-songwriter, Dougie Maclean is internationally renowned for his song 'Caledonia' and music for 'Last of the Mohicans'. He has performed at concerts and festivals all over the world including New York's Carnegie Hall, Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, the Sydney Opera House and London’s Festival Theatre. Dougie recently received two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame and an OBE in the New Year Honours list.
Award winning singer songwriter Mairi Campbell blends spine-tingling vocals and skilled fiddle playing to create beautiful music. One of Mairi’s key strengths is her emotive live performances with reactions ranging from ‘emotional’ to ‘haunting’ and ‘magical’. Mairi’s work has also attracted a celebrity fan base. In 1999, she sang for President Clinton and Sean Connery at the ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards’ in Washington DC. She also caught the attention of Sarah Jessica Parker, who recommended “Auld Lang Syne’ to the makers of ‘Sex and The City’.
Tickets
Take the High Note: The Gift from Caledonia to America is on Friday 3 June at 7.30pm.
Tickets from Usher Hall are priced at £20, £17.50, £15.50 and £12 and limited concessions are available.
Proceeds will help fund the In Chorus and the Lothian Borders Police Choir in their journey to New York in September to represent Scotland at the tenth anniversary of 9/11.