Latest news with #RockChoir
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... contributed Many famous faces have played Scotland's only five star concert hall since it opened in 1914 including Ella Fitzgerald, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, and Led Zeppelin. But as magnificent as those gigs will have been I'm not sure anything can match what 400 Rock Choir members and their friends and families experienced in the Usher Hall on Saturday night. We're all still buzzing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In celebration of her 15 years leading Rock Choir in Scotland Elaine Williamson coached her amateur singers to put on the performance of a lifetime in a beautiful venue, renowned for its excellent acoustics. I mean this was big for us. We're more normally to be found singing for runners at the Edinburgh Marathon, or in John Lewis Glasgow, raising money for the Beatson Institute. You might have seen us on the steps of The Dome at Christmastime. We don't normally have access to a dressing room. For many outdoor performances we store our bags at our feet, like penguins. From the instantly recognisable guitar riff of Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine which opened the show to the infectious 80s film theme to Flashdance (What a Feeling) which was the finale, we rocked, bopped, swayed and clicked our way through a two hour repertoire of Rock Choir's finest tunes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With choir members from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow West AM, Glasgow West PM, Edinburgh West Afternoon and Edinburgh Morningside Evening making up the performers, this was classic Rock Choir ambition achieved. Most of us don't read music. We love to sing but we have had no formal training. But we want to do Elaine proud so we rehearse our different harmony parts from soprano, upper alto, lower alto to bass and practise hard. Read more here: I spoke to my favourite member of Pulp and discovered they're Scottish We download the dance moves and work til we get it right. Along the way there is a lot of laughter, new friendships are formed and it's basically pure joy to be involved. See exhibit A - the video of us performing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith last Saturday. If you missed this gig we're going head to head with another pair of 90s icons when Oasis play Murrayfield next month and we sing on the Fringe. (We have a sense of humour, we're learning a Rock Choir arrangement of Roll With It). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
When Rock Choir rocked the Usher Hall
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Many famous faces have played Scotland's only five star concert hall since it opened in 1914 including Ella Fitzgerald, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, and Led Zeppelin. But as magnificent as those gigs will have been I'm not sure anything can match what 400 Rock Choir members and their friends and families experienced in the Usher Hall on Saturday night. We're all still buzzing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In celebration of her 15 years leading Rock Choir in Scotland Elaine Williamson coached her amateur singers to put on the performance of a lifetime in a beautiful venue, renowned for its excellent acoustics. I mean this was big for us. We're more normally to be found singing for runners at the Edinburgh Marathon, or in John Lewis Glasgow, raising money for the Beatson Institute. You might have seen us on the steps of The Dome at Christmastime. We don't normally have access to a dressing room. For many outdoor performances we store our bags at our feet, like penguins. From the instantly recognisable guitar riff of Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine which opened the show to the infectious 80s film theme to Flashdance (What a Feeling) which was the finale, we rocked, bopped, swayed and clicked our way through a two hour repertoire of Rock Choir's finest tunes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With choir members from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow West AM, Glasgow West PM, Edinburgh West Afternoon and Edinburgh Morningside Evening making up the performers, this was classic Rock Choir ambition achieved. Most of us don't read music. We love to sing but we have had no formal training. But we want to do Elaine proud so we rehearse our different harmony parts from soprano, upper alto, lower alto to bass and practise hard. We download the dance moves and work til we get it right. Along the way there is a lot of laughter, new friendships are formed and it's basically pure joy to be involved. See exhibit A - the video of us performing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith last Saturday. If you missed this gig we're going head to head with another pair of 90s icons when Oasis play Murrayfield next month and we sing on the Fringe. (We have a sense of humour, we're learning a Rock Choir arrangement of Roll With It). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Belfast Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Race For Life: Two NI friends in cancer remission reveal their ‘singing lifeline' during Belfast event
Dawn Mackey and Avril Campbell were invited stars at this year's event held at Stormont on Sunday. The event, which supports Cancer Research UK, includes 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy challenges for adults and children, raising millions for cancer research each year. The pair, both in remission from breast cancer, sounded the starter horn to send around 2,000 participants off on the 3k and 5k courses during the morning. More than £200,000 was raised by the event, helping scientists develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. After serving as official starters, Dawn and Avril joined the 50-strong Rock Choir from Lisburn, led by Clare Galway, outside Stormont buildings to motivate race participants along the route. The friends say being part of the choir has helped them cope with their cancer journey. Dawn (60) from Craigavon was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 after a routine screening, despite having no symptoms. A retired district nurse, she said the screening service saved her life. Dawn has since had surgery, five radiotherapy sessions, and started taking tamoxifen—a drug proven effective by Cancer Research UK-funded research. Discussing her journey to remission, Dawn explained she is on a mission to 'raise awareness about early detection and screening.' 'When I was diagnosed with cancer I went into 'nurse mode' at first and tried to protect my loved ones. I stayed positive on the outside, but inside I was frightened,' she said. 'Thank goodness for screening, as without it I'd never have detected there was anything wrong. I'm well now, so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness about early detection and screening. Dawn added that the support around her, including using music as an outlet, helped her cope. 'I had an amazing consultant, oncologist, breast nurse and radiotherapy team. 'My family supported me every step of the way while the choir gave me empathy — and most importantly laughter. Singing with the choir helped bring the joyous part of me back, and screening helped save my life.' 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope' Music has also helped Avril, 56, from Banbridge, who will mark nine years since finishing breast cancer treatment this September. She underwent surgery, 16 chemotherapy sessions, 23 radiotherapy sessions, and later started tamoxifen medication. The mum of three said each member of the Rock Choir is inspirational and she is 'proud to be a part of' it, adding that it is 'one of the happiest one and a half hours of my week.' 'Our leader Clare is inspirational as are the choir members. I'm proud to be part of it.' The choir performed hits including Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Super Trouper by Abba. Earlier in the day, International United Ms United Kingdom beauty queen Anouska Black of Craigavon sounded the start horn for the 10k participants. Anouska, 35, said: 'It was an honour to open this year's Race for Life Belfast and I've loved cheering everyone on. 'Both my grandfathers sadly passed away with cancer and I know it's a disease that touches so many families. Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to get through cancer but that's been made possible thanks to the generosity of people raising funds for life-saving research. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crossed the finish line.' Speaking after the event, Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Northern Ireland, commented: 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Belfast, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.' She added: 'Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. 'We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.'
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Full list of road closures in Glasgow today as thousands descend on city for major event
Find out the exact times of the closures PLAN AHEAD Full list of road closures in Glasgow today as thousands descend on city for major event THOUSANDS of people are set to descend on Glasgow today for a major event - leading to a number of road closures. Many streets in the city centre have been shut off as the Race for Life gets underway. 1 Thousands are set to descend on Glasgow as the Race for Life gets underway Credit: Mark Ferguson The fundraiser, in aid of Cancer Research, will see runners embark on 3km, 5km and 10km routes with around 6,000 anticipated to take part. The Glasgow course starts in Glasgow Green and heads up Saltmarket, along Trongate, past George Square, before reaching the Buchanan Street and down onto the Clydeside. There will be entertainment from Rock Choir, food and drink stalls and a Race for Life merchandise stand. A total of 47 roads have been closed ahead of the event. The following streets will be shut until 4pm today: Albert Bridge, between Saltmarket and Crown Street Anchor Lane, for its full length Argyle Street, between Hope Street and Queen Street Buchanan Street for its full length Candleriggs, for its full length Clyde Street, for its full length (access maintained to Maxwell Street) Cochrane Street, for its full length Congress Road, for its full length, (one lane, nearside, westbound) Crown Street, between Ballater Street and Saltmarket Fastlink (Anderston Quay and Broomielaw) Finnieston Quay, for its full length (westbound only) Garth Street, for its full length George Street between George Square and Montrose Street George Square all sides Glassford Street, for its full length Gorbals Street, between Ballater Street and Clyde Street Greendyke Street, for its full length Hanover Street, George Square and Ingram Street Howard Street, for its full length Hutcheson Street between Trongate and Wilson Street Ingram Street, between Queen Street and Miller Street Jamaica Street, for its full length John Street, for its full length King George V Bridge, for its full length King Street, between Parnie Street and Trongate Lancefield Quay, for its full length Martha Street, for its full length Midland Street, for its full length Mitchell Street, between Argyle Street and Mitchell Lane Montrose Street, between Ingram Street and West George Street Nelson Mandela Place, for its full length North Frederick Street, for its full length North Hanover Street, between George Square and Cathedral Street Queen Street, for its full length Royal Exchange Square for its full length Saltmarket, for its full length South Frederick Street, for its full length St Vincent Place, between Queen Street and Buchanan Street Stockwell Place, for its full length Stockwell Street, for its full length The Clyde Arc (Fastlink Lanes) Trongate, for its full length Turnbull Street, between Greendyke Street and Steel Street Union Street, for its full length Victoria Bridge for its full length West George Street, between Hope Street and George Square Wilson Street, between Candleriggs and Hutcheson Street A prohibition of driving applies to all vehicles except emergency service vehicles or vehicles given permission from Glasgow City Council's filming and events section. All entrances to Glasgow Green will be open for the event. The closest to the start line is Greendyke Street. Bus lanes are also suspended around Glasgow until 4pm today, which are as follows:
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Bathgate and Linlithgow MP sounds horn to start Race for Life event at South Queensferry
Kirsteen Sullivan MP was chosen to sound the horn at the start line to send hundreds off on the 3k, 5k and 10k courses in the picturesque grounds of Hopetoun House. People of all ages united against cancer by taking part in Scotland's first 2025 Race for Life events. Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow, was chosen to sound the horn at the start line to send hundreds off on the 3k, 5k and 10k courses in the picturesque grounds of Hopetoun House, South Queensferry. More than £108,000 was raised for Cancer Research UK- vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer- to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. And 30 miles away, in the University of Stirling grounds near Gannochy Sports Centre £95,000 was raised on Sunday at Race for Life Stirling. Kirsteen said: 'It's a privilege to support Race for Life in honour of everyone going through cancer right now. 'Almost every family, including my own, has been affected by cancer. The outlook for people with cancer has changed dramatically over the years, thanks to the efforts of Cancer Research UK and wonderful fundraisers making sure the best research is available to help get the best outcomes. 'Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to live well with cancer for many years. But it's important we continue to make progress and to ensure the research is there to support that.' The Rock Choir from Livingston, Linlithgow and Edinburgh also performed hits including Green Green Grass by George Ezra and Club Tropicana by Wham. Brothers eight-year-old Quinn Duffy and Leo Duffy, 10, who are both members of Linlithgow Athletics Club were first home in the 3k completing the course in 12 mins 40 seconds. And 13-year-old Orla Oakley, of Livingston Athletics Club was first home in the 5k in 23 minutes 22 seconds, raising £230 for Cancer Research UK helped by her twin sister Isla Oakley, her brother Ruaridh Oakley, 10, and her mum Catherine Oakley, 45. The family took part in honour of an uncle who currently has cancer. Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life. 'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. 'Sadly nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. 'Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years. 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease. 'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. '
