Past Events

Additional performance of Forgotten Carols

Dumfries Museum: Sunday 20th December 2009

By popular request, and complaints that there was no performance at the Museum last year!, the Feral Choir will perform a 1 hour concert on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm. For tickets (including light refreshments) contact the Museum direct on 01387 253374. Spaces are limited - booking essential.

Performances in September 2009

On Friday September 18th the choir took part in the World Peace concert held at the new DG One Centre, Dumfries.

The largest project of the year was Burns: The Giftie Bard performed over the last weekend in September. This represented a major development for the choir. It involved the Feral Choir joining forces with Cairn Chorus from Moniaive and working with a wonderful group of musicians, some of whom were well known professionals. Performing as soloists were Dave Francis and Mairi Campbell from Edinburgh. Also performing was Wendy Stewart, one of Scotland’s finest traditional harpists and Dave Orr, guitarist. The project was made possible because the Feral Choir committee was successful in applying for a Lottery grant to support the performances as part of Scotland’s Homecoming year.

In Burns: The Giftie Bard, the letters of Burns were woven together with traditional Galloway fiddle tunes and Burns’ songs. As ever, the whole project was driven by our musical director, Ali Burns, who researched the material and worked with both choirs and musicians to create what was a truly exceptional experience for all those taking part and the three audiences who heard it. Indeed one member of the audience at the sell-out Dumfries performance said that it had been the best concert that they had attended in their lives! The other two performances were equally successful playing to near capacity crowds at Kirkcudbright Town Hall and Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown. The performances were recorded and we all look forward to hearing the CD when it is finished.

Spring Sing 24.05.09 - Twynholm Village Hall
Tea with Clarinda 12.06.09 - Gatehouse of Fleet Parish Church.  Event in conjunction with the Burns Federation.
Forgotten Carols
15.12.07- CatStrand, New Galloway
16.12.07 - Dumfries Museum
20.12.07 - Broughton House, Kirkcudbright
21.12.07 - Wallaceton Hall, Snade, Dunscore
22.12.07 - Moniaive Institute, Moniaive
23.12.07 - Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall
Saut Sea and Bonnie Ships
The Time, Tide and Baggywrinkles project which explored the region's seafaring past in song and prose., culminated in three performances entitled Saut Sea and Bonnie Ships.  We were delighted that the wonderful Emily Smith and Steve Turner were able to sing with us, helped by Scots actor Stewart Ennis who linked the performances together with historical text. 
21.9.07 - Kirkcudbright Town Hall
22.9.07 - Gatehouse of Fleet School Hall
23.9.07 - Dalbeattie Town Hall

Spooky Men's Chorale The Feral Choir were very proud to present this "ruthless bunch of larrikins" from the Blue Mountains of Australia in the Town Hall at Castle Douglas on Friday 20th July 2007. 

A Dorset Sailor - a one man show by Tim Laycock
18.5.07 - Lochside Theatre, Castle Douglas
At the age of 18 Richards Roberts found himself serving on HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalger.  In this one man show, researched, written and performed by Tim Laycock, his story is told and includes readings from his remarkable book 'An account of the battle of Trafalger and the death of Lord Nelson, written on board HMS Victory'.  This promises to be a fascinating, absorbing and moving evening.

Steady the Helm - Workshop with Tim Laycock
19.5.07 - Colvend Village Hall
Exploring all aspects of seafaring life through the tradition of songs.

Vocal Technique Sessions
27.2.07 to 27.3.07 - In this 5-week term between projects, vocal techniques were taught by Kate Howard. 

The Heart Is A Tree For Love - Feb 2007
The Heart Is A Tree For Love named after the poem by Scotland's William Souter - a performance of all kinds of love songs mixed with contemporary poetry and prose. Polly Bolton, ex Albion Band, joined us as soloist at 2 performances at Dalry and Twynholm. The performance also featured After The Music by Vivian Jones, the winning poem from a writing competition run by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.