First male voice choir album launched in Argyll

5th December 2012

A prizewinning Gaelic choir from Argyll, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2012, has marked the occasion by recording the first album ever produced by a male voice Gaelic choir.
Còisir Ceann an Tuirc - translated as The Boar’s Head Choir - takes its name from the crest of the Clan Campbell, which has its ancestral seat at Inveraray Castle in Argyll.

And, in another first for the choir, four of the songs from its 14-track album, Deich Bliadhna (Ten Years) of Còisir Ceann an Tuirc, were recorded within Inveraray Castle, by permission of choir supporter His Grace, the Duke of Argyll.

Deich Bliadhna was recorded by Finlay Wells of Nutshell Music in Oban. The album includes solos by choir members and conductor Joy Dunlop, a successful Gaelic singer in her own right and well-known Gaelic teacher and broadcaster.

Joy, who hails from Connel in Argyll but now lives in Glasgow, said: ‘I think it’s fantastic that an Argyll-based choir has produced the first ever male voice Gaelic choir CD.
 
‘In my opinion, community singing is so important because it brings people together to enjoy a common pastime and has been proved beneficial for both your mental and physical wellbeing. 
‘The men of Coisir Ceann an Tuirc are a real pleasure to work with and I feel very privileged to conduct such a talented and truly lovely group of singers.’

Many of the choir members travel huge distances from places in Argyll as far afield as Carradale and the Isle of Mull to attend the regular choir rehearsals held in Lochgilphead.
The choir, which won Mull and Iona Shield as the best male voice choir at the Royal National Mòd in 2008, is made up of singers with an age range of 28 to 88.

The album has been recorded thanks to funding from the Awards For All and Argyll and Bute Council’s Third Sector Grant Scheme and is available to buy through www.joydunlop.com/shop, Highlander Music and local shops throughout Argyll.