Scotland Sings announced its new Chorus Awards in 2015. The aim of these awards is to showcase the outstanding practice and great things going on in Scotland’s choirs and to celebrate and honour the people who are promoting singing together. The awards are not about how well you sing or perform and they are open to any kind of choir, chorus or group of singers singing in any style, at any level.
Congratulations to Tartan Tones who won the Workplace Award category. We asked them the following questions.
Tell us more about yourself / the choir
Tartan Tones draws its membership from the John Lewis Store and Service Building in Glasgow and the John Lewis Contact Centre in Hamilton. It is an unauditioned choir, and is open to all Partners across the Partnership in Glasgow. The choir meets on a Monday evening, once the shop floor closes at 7pm. The choir is part of the John Lewis Partnership Music Society which exists to give Partners diverse opportunities for making and sharing in music.
How long have you been singing / has the choir been singing together?
4 years.
What have you/has the choir got planned in the next 12 months?
December 5: JLP Choirs & The Cavendish Ensemble Christmas Concert, Royal Festival Hall London.
What has been the highlight of your / the choir’s singing journey?
In December 2014, along with John Lewis choirs from around the UK, we sang in the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Partnership. This was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved and included the premier performance of a specially commissioned piece by Bob Chilcott.
What got you singing in the first place / why did the choir first start singing together?
John Lewis ‘Partnersing’ completion, for Partnership choirs (2013)
How does it feel to be the first winner of the award?
Surprised! delighted! Amazing!
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