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When Leslie Innes stepped down due to work commitments in 1988 Mr. Kyle McCallum, took over, and remained the choir's conductor until 2003. As mentioned previously, Kyle McCallum had first accompanied the
choir for a performance in 1970 when he was also deputy conductor, and a conductor of the girls choir. So, when he returned to the North East from Perthshire, where he had been Director of Music at Rannoch School and
organist of Dunkeld Cathedral, to take up an appointment with Grampian Region Education Department, the Aberdeen Orpheus Choir was not unknown to him. As a professional teacher and organist at Banchory Ternan East
Parish Church, the choir was fortunate to obtain his services as conductor as he was pleased to accept the post. The choir thrived in his tenure. The number of appearances each year was been further increased. As well
as alternating a Christmas carol concert and a St. Andrew's Night concert in the Cowdray Hall each year, the choir sang its Spring recital in both the King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, and St. Andrew's Cathedral,
King Street. The Spring recital was also been performed outwith Aberdeen at a different cathedral every year, including Edinburgh (St. Giles'), Dunkeld, Dunblane and Inverness, and Dunfermline Abbey, and at local
country churches including Inverbervie, Kemnay and Banchory Ternan East.
Over more recent years, the choir performed an annual series of carol concerts for the National Trust of Scotland in the historic and
inspiring ambiance of the log-fired and tinsel-bedecked Great Hall at Castle Fraser (followed by mulled wine and mince pies) and participated in the annual Deeside Singing Festival in Aboyne. The choir was also asked to
make guest appearances for various causes and sang concerts in Garthdee and Ruthrieston South Churches and St. Machar Academy. Most recently, when asked by the City of Aberdeen to host the visiting Bayley Hazen Singers
from Vermont, USA, the choir chose Castle Fraser as the venue for a very successful joint concert (thanks again to the National Trust of Scotland). Also, during Kyle McCallum's tenure, the number of choir members rose to
exceed 55 singers for the first time since 1969!
It is pleasing to note also that our audiences are increasing in size. This may be due to a number of things, such as choice of programme, quality of performance,
good advertising; also, there is a national trend away from in-house entertainment back to live performance. Whatever the reason, we all hope it will continue. In pursuing the aim to give concerts that offer something
to everybody, the choir has invited a number of guest soloists over the years including Ian Wallace, Bill McCue, Jean and Peter Webster, Alison Shiel, Stephen Farrand, Marion Fordyce and Kenneth Miller, and has also
drawn soloists from the choir's own membership. Guest organ accompanists have included Ronald Leith, Robert Williamson and James Laird. The choir has also shared the platform with a number of local groups such as the
Aberdeen Gaelic Choir, Bon accord Silver Band, the North East Wind Orchestra, Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society, Dalriada Clarsach Ensemble and the Scolty Trio.
Recent repertoire includes Vivaldi's
"Gloria", excerpts from Handel's "Messiah", Mozart's "Coronation Mass", as well as English anthems such as Wesley's "Ascribe unto the Lord", Brewer's "God is our Hope and
Strength" and Malcolm Boyle's "Thou O God art praised in Sion". Wilhousky's well-known arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and Cy Coleman's "Rhythm of Life" have been
popular additions to the repertoire, as have part songs by John Rutter and traditional Scottish songs, mostly in arrangements by Sir Hugh Roberton of the ever-popular Glasgow Orpheus Choir, after which the choir was
named and whose style it aims to emulate. We are delighted that Mr. Kenneth Roberton, son of Sir Hugh, has recently accepted the position of Honorary Vice-President of the choir, perpetuating the connection with our
illustrious forebears. |
