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Inverness singers fly to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall


By Andrew Dixon

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Carnegie Hall in New York.
Carnegie Hall in New York.

A GROUP of participants from Eden Court’s Just Sing class are flying to New York to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall this weekend.

Led by Fiona Sellar and supported by Impact Hub Inverness, the group meet every week at the Inverness venue as part of the theatre’s in-house engagement programme – and many of those taking part are overwhelmed by the opportunity that’s come their way.

“Until five years ago, I never thought I could sing,” said one member of the group. “I wasn’t even allowed in the school choir, and now here I am going to the Carnegie Hall to sing in front of 3000 people.”

Most of the group initially started attending the related class Singing For The Shy at Eden Court, before progressing on to Just Sing and finding their full voice.

Lucy McGlennon, Eden Court's head of engagement, said: “It’s such an incredible progression story for some of these participants, the development they’ve made since first joining the Singing For The Shy is wonderful.

"We are all so excited for their performance, and to hear all about the experience when they get back!”

Just Sing were invited to New York by Distinguished Concerts International New York City (DCINY) to take part in the fifth annual production of Total Vocal, a celebration of contemporary a capella for singers from all over the world, under the creative direction of arranger/producer Deke Sharon.

Dr Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for DCINY, said: “Just Sing received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers as well as the exceptional quality of their audition recording.

“It is quite an honour just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”

The group will be performing a selection of songs by Sheryl Crow and Queen, as well as hits from musicals such as Wicked and The Lion King.

Polly Chapman, co-founder of Impact Hub Inverness and member of Just Sing, said: “We’re a bunch of people, ranging in age from 14 to 78, and although we sing together every week now, some of us didn’t know each other at all before this.

"Fiona is a brilliant teacher, she always gets the best out of us – some us had hardly ever sung before coming to her class, but with her help we have reached a level that occasionally amazes us all.”


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