Vivaldi's Gloria from scratch performed at Volunteer Hall

A Heart for Duns is delighted to welcome back to the Volunteer Hall, Greg Batsleer, chorus director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra,
Duns Choir's performance of Handels Messiah on February 8 2015 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Volunteer Hall. A scratch choir of over 100, four soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and 20 professional musicians were led by Greg Batsleer, Chorus Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the RSNO.Duns Choir's performance of Handels Messiah on February 8 2015 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Volunteer Hall. A scratch choir of over 100, four soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and 20 professional musicians were led by Greg Batsleer, Chorus Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the RSNO.
Duns Choir's performance of Handels Messiah on February 8 2015 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Volunteer Hall. A scratch choir of over 100, four soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and 20 professional musicians were led by Greg Batsleer, Chorus Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the RSNO.

He will to lead a Duns choir in a scratch performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria on March 5. The choir will be accompanied by musicians drawn from the Scottish National Orchestra and soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Greg, although only in his mid-20s, is an outstanding musician and one of the most acclaimed chorus directors of his generation.

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Two years ago Batsleer led a scratch performance of Handel’s Messiah at the hall. It was a fantastic experience for those who joined the choir and very well received by the audience, which not only included people of Duns, but many visitors to the town who came to experience this special evening of music.

Alexandra Watson of Duns, who was a member of the Messiah scratch choir, said: “Singing Handel’s Messiah at the celebratory concert was an awesome experience. The score is so powerful and compelling, and Greg Batsleer brought all our disparate voices together so expertly, that the end result was a truly uplifting and unforgettable weekend.”

The next Vivaldi performance in March includes not only exquisite pieces by the composer but also pieces by Mozart, Bach and Monteverdi.

The performance will be a culmination of a series of rehearsals held during February and March at the hall to bring the choir up to ‘scratch’. These will be held on March 1, 4 and 5.

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Greg will lead the main rehearsals with the help of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra accompanist Stuart Gold on the piano and there are optional rehearsals with Cole Bendal.

Wednesday’s concert will begin at 6pm. Singer tickets are pricec at £20. Scores will be provided, as well as refreshments on both days. Audience tickets are £10 from Nairn’s Newsagents, Duns, and at www.aheartforduns.org.