NEWS: Faculty Choir takes Homecoming to New York

Posted On: 04 August 2009

Ross Macfarlane (Artistic Director), Rosemary Guinnane and clerk Iain Murray all of the Murray Stable gave up part of their summer holidays to travel with the choir of the Faculty of Advocates and join with the New York City Bar Chorus in a concert in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

The concert was held in the splendid surroundings of the House of the Association of the New York Bar on 44th Street in midtown Manhattan.

The Faculty Choir permiered an original arrangement by musical director Neil Beynon of Loch Lomond as part of a joint programme of readings, recitals, duets and choral work all with a Scottish flavour.

The Faculty Choir was formed in 1996 to raise funds through Christmas concerts for Edinburgh's homeless and has travelled extensively in Europe with performances in St Peter's, Rome, St Mark's Basilica, Venice, Notre Dame de Paris and the Scot's Kirk, Paris.  The New York City Bar Chorus raises funds for the NY Justice Center and performs regularly in community outreach centres winning an Excellence in Public Service award from the City for its work.

Many new friendships were forged during the rehearsals and over drinks afterwards and the NYCBC are now planning a return visit to Edinburgh in August 2010.