Yvonne Burgess: musician, choir director, writer in Scotland

Hello there.  Do you live in Edinburgh or Fife, and would you like to sing regularly without having to audition first? If so - and even if not - read on to get a sense of who I am and how I work - the range of material, the background, and the atmosphere in my choirs and singing workshops.

This is me on the beach at Fisherrow - the Portobello end of Musselburgh, where I've been living for six years now. (I don't know what the elephant's doing there.) Sea views to the north, sun and the low East Lothian hils to the south, 66 steps (up) from the street to the jungle of pot plants by the front door.

STOP PRESS - New Singing Opportunity opening up soon!

A group is currently getting together, to meet in the Portobello area on Thursday afternoons.  We are still confirming our venue, and looking for members.  This would suit anyone on the Voice House waiting list who has time during the day.

NEW RESIDENTIAL VENUE!!

We are planning a three-night weekend away, in the Borders this time, at Westerkirk Mains, near Langholm.  Dates:  March 9th - 12th.  Contact me (653-2146) to book.

This is a new departure for us, so watch this space.  If we like it, we will be back! 

 

Recent News:

Voice House gave a wonderful concert at the end of November in a packed St Cuthbert's Church - our poshest venue for a long time!

All Together Now have celebrated the Christmas/New Year season with a couple of

extraordinary sessions - the first at Inca, in Bruntsfield Place, where we found that eating and singing go quite well together (something Pop Choir knows already), and the second including a beach walk at Fisherrow.

Pop Choir celebrated with an evening's karaoke, at which we got through a worrying 37 songs from the sixties, and quite a lot of delicious titbits.

 

Our autumn visit to Caputh was as enjoyable as ever, with some glorious weather and excellent company - and food!  Next weekend planned for late April.  Watch this space.

(Bookings for Caputh will be made on a strictly deposit-paid basis from now on!)

 

Personal

In the spring of 2011 I travelled to Zimbabwe and South Africa - my first visit to Southern Africa since I lived there in the 1980s.  I had a wonderful time, was able to spend time with some of my closest friends again, and to meet the next generation of their families.   I fell in love all over again with the place and its people, and realised afresh just how much I owe to the people of Zimbabwe.

They have been through such a lot - on various fronts (HIV, financial meltdown, political violence), but the energy in the place is palpable, people have a resilience we can only dream of, and it does seem like things are less difficult than they were. 

 

Spring Singing Saturdays for Diaries

  • Saturday, February 25th - Skills and Jamming Day 

  • Saturday, March 24th - James Taylor Day  

  • Also:  April 21st, May 19th and June 16th - themes to be announced.

 

All the above events take place in Stockbridge Parish Church Hall, Saxe Coburg Street, from 10.30 - 4.30, and cost £25 (£20 concession)

 

Weekly Groups

  • All Together Now  (D.I.Y. harmony group) started again on Tuesday 10th January, in the Boroughmuir School Atrium, from 7-9pm.  We were delighted to welcome some new faces, and we still have a few spaces - and plenty of space.  We have recently become an affiliated group to Scots Music Group.  Call me for more information.

       Pop Choir continues its fortnightly party in one another's homes (Monday 16th            January, and so on) with enthusiasm and (we like to think) increasing skill!

       Voice Howff, the Fife (Auchtermuchty) equivalent of Edinburgh's Voice House,            continues likewise, on the other Mondays.  Both Monday choirs meet from 7.30             - 9.30pm

       Voice House, the big community choir, meets in Bruntsfield Primary School on           Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm.  We currently have a long waiting list, unless you

       are happy to sing in the bass section!  But it's always worth getting your name       on the list.

       The Jammies meet in the Dalriada on Portobello Prom on Thursdays, from 7.30 -   9.30.  (This group is the only one not open to all comers.)

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