The bells, the bells!

The SCO's first tour of the summer took in the South of Scotland, stopping at Duns, Castle Douglas and Galashiels.  Zoë Westwood, SCO Marketing Manager writes...

We set off in glorious weather to Duns where we premiered the highlight of the tour's programme, Border Lines.  Composed and conducted by Howard Moody, the piece was a celebration of the National Trust for Scotland's St Abb's Head site, and featured the Eyemouth Fishermen's Choir.  The new work went down a treat, the audience loving the swell of the waves, the calls of seabirds and the song of the fishermen.

The mariner's bell used in the piece dates from the 1960s when it had pride of place on the old Eyemouth Lifeboat.  It is now owned by a Choir member who was presented with the bell when he retired from the Eyemouth Lifeboat Crew.

Castle Douglas came next, with a packed house and some great characters in the audience - watch this space for a short video of their feedback.

Finally, we headed to Galashiels for the last performance of the tour.  However, the fine weather called for a refreshment break along the way...

Howard Moody and Soprano Lorna Anderson stop for a chat outside Melrose Abbey

Louisa Stanway (Orchestra Manager), Lorna, Howard and Zoe take a break in Melrose

The great audience reception continued in Galashiels, with many people asking for a recording of Border Lines. Lorna Anderson was also a hit - she opened the concert with a gorgeous Scottish folk song and brought the house down in the encore with the audience and Orchestra joining her for Ca' the Yowes.

 William Stafford (Clarinet) outside Galashiels Volunteer Hall

The Orchestra take to the road again 14 -16 June when they'll be visiting Dunblane, Findhorn and Invermoriston.  They will be joined by Alexander Janiczek directing from the violin and SCO Principal Horn Alec Frank-Gemmill will be performing the solo in Mozart's Horn Concerto No 4 in E-flat.

Read our blogs about the St Abbs Music Project which began in June 2011 and culminated in November 2011 working with local primary school children, the Eyemouth Fishermen's Choir and Mission Crew.

Photos © Kirsten Hunter, Liz Hurst, Zoë Westwood