Yvonne Burgess: musician, choir director, writer in Scotland

Hi! 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 a couple of years now. (I don't know what the elephant's doing there.) Sea views to the north, sun to the south, 66 steps (up) from the street to the jungle of pot plants by the front door.

Latest News:

  • Spring singing 2010 - three dates in Stockbridge Parish Church: Two Spirituals days: one on February 27th and one on March 27th. Plus: a CATurday (Cat Stevens) day on March 13th! Times are 10:30am-4:30pm. Cost £25.00 (£20.00) each. All are welcome, but please ring me if you would like to attend any of these events.

  • Toende (Swahili for 'let's go'!), the children's choir at St John's Primary School in Portobello, is going really well. They are writing and singing their own songs as well as lots of African, some of mine and some miscellaneous.

  • Growing out of the long-running Bring Your Own Harmony class, a new choir called All Together Now meets in the Boroughmuir School Atrium on Tuesdays from 7-9pm (waiting list now in effect). The emphasis is on finding our own harmonies and bringing our own songs to sing, and there are opportunities to get together in smaller groups and work on arrangements with assistance from me.

  • Our Autumn Caputh weekend - November 13-15 - filled up very fast - but we'll be going again in the Spring. Watch this space!

  • Voice House Due to overwhelming interest, Voice House has started a waiting list for new members. If you're a returning member or willing to sing bass, do come along, otherwise visit the Voice House web site to find out more about the waiting list. http://www.voicehouse.org.uk