Remembrance puts the spotlight on singing

Perth College UHI students, school pupils and Perth & Kinross Council employees are participating in a nationwide singing event to mark the Battle of the Somme Centenary at North Inch Community Campus Hall on Friday 11 November 2016. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Free event.

Memorial Ground is the title of a brand new choral work specially commissioned by Scotland’s celebrated East Neuk Festival and 14-18 Now from Oscar-nominated American composer David Lang. The piece was inspired by the losses endured by so many at the Battle of the Somme, fought 1 July to 18 November 1916. Following the world premiere performance at the East Neuk Festival on 2 July 2016, local groups will be coming together to perform Memorial Ground at a special evening of remembrance and music at the North Inch Community Campus on the 11th November.

A century ago, on 1 July 1916, the Battle of the Somme began with the bloodiest day in British military history. Over four months later, after more than a million combatants had died or suffered injuries, the Allied offensive was called off. It was a battle that marked the turning point in people’s attitude to the War – few communities across the UK were untouched by it. Records of the Somme regularly mention singing – whether it is the stories of individual singers whose beautiful voices cheered their companions in the trenches, or whole companies of soldiers who went over the top singing to keep their spirits up.

The Perth Event will feature musical performances from the ECS Choir made up of employees from Perth & Kinross Council, students from Perth College UHI, Horsecross Glè and Perth Gaelic Choir, singing in English, Scots and Gaelic.

The music will be interspersed with stories and memories of the time, featuring Perth Academy pupils and their Flowers of the Forest project, St John’s Academy pupils with letters to home and Perth & Kinross Council staff and the Pullar House Memorial project.

Entrance to this memorable event is free and light refreshments will be provided. Donations can be made on the night to the Perth & Kinross branch of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

Click here to view poster.