Dundee Gaelic Choir

The Dundee Gaelic Choir promotes the Gaelic language and culture through music and song. We compete in provincial mods throughout the year and at the Royal National Mod each October. We also perform at the annual Fest'n'Furious in Dundee and entertain at Highland Societies and ceilidhs throughout the Tayside area.

The choir is trained and conducted by Wilma Kennedy, Mod Gold Medallist, and draws members from Angus, Fife, and Perthshire.

History

Dundee Gaelic Choir, officially known as the Dundee Gaelic Musical Association, was formed at the end of the 19th Century and enjoyed early success in 1903 as the first ever winners of the prestigious Lovat and Tullibardine Trophy which they went on to win on several other occasions. The Association went into abeyance in 1939 and was reconstituted in 1966. In 2006 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the reconstitution with a dinner attended by many former members including the original conductor from 1966.

Meetings

The choir meets for practice every Monday night at 7.15pm in the Gilfillan Memorial Church hall in Whitehall Crescent, Dundee.

New members are always welcome – prior knowledge of Gaelic is not required!

Previous Events

The choir competed at the 2009 Royal National Mod in Oban where they were placed third in the Margrat Duncan Trophy and fifth equal in the Puirt-a Beul (the first time the choir had entered this competition for over 30 years).

The choir at the 2009 Royal National Mod in Oban
The choir at the 2009 Royal National Mod in Oban
Photograph by Graham Hood
More photographs from the Mod can be seen at Graham's website

Members of the choir were also successful in other competitions at the 2009 Mod:
  • The Moray Trophy. Winner-Wilma Kennedy.
  • Traditional Gold Medal (Ladies). 2nd-Wilma Kennedy.
  • Senior Duet Singing. 3rd-Wilma Kennedy and Nicola Pearson.
  • Traditional Song (Learners). 3rd-Nicola Pearson.
  • The John D Gillies Memorial Trophy. 3rd-Sandie Kennedy.
  • The Margo Campbell Trophy. 4th-Sandie Kennedy.
  • The Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy. 4th-Sandy Mollison.
Nicola Pearson and Wilma Kennedy at the 2009 Royal National Mod in Oban
Nicola Pearson and Wilma Kennedy at the 2009 Royal National Mod in Oban
Photograph by Graham Hood

At the Aberfeldy Mod in June 2009 the choir won both The Westcroft Trophy for choral singing in four part harmony and The Janet McIntyre Memorial Cup for the highest marks in music.

The choir achieved great success at the 2008 Royal National Mod in Falkirk, winning the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy along with the the John McNicol Memorial Trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic and the Staffinders Quaich for the highest marks in music.

The choir at the 2008 Royal National Mod in Falkirk
The choir at the 2008 Royal National Mod in Falkirk


The choir also took part in the Mull Mod in September 2008 and although it was unplaced in its competition, two of the members were successful in their singing competitions. President Nicola Pearson won the Puirt a Beul Trophy, conductor Wilma Kennedy won the Traditional Trophy with Nicola in second place, and they won the duet competition singing together.

Contact Details

For further details please contact the Secretary by telephone on 01382 778775 or by email to maureen.nairn@yahoo.co.uk