Special Events
AYR CHORAL TURNS 150!
As Ayr Choral approaches its 150th anniversary, we are preparing for a landmark season that both honours our extraordinary past and looks boldly to the future. This is a once-in-a-generation moment to showcase the power of choral singing to connect, inspire and create lasting legacies. As you will imagine, this project is costing considerably more than our usual annual budget. A fundraising campaign has been developed with expert guidance, and we are applying to grant funders and sponsors for additional support. The fundraising has got off to a tremendous start, but we need more to turn our anniversary dreams into reality. With your support, we can make this anniversary truly special.
GIVE £150 FOR 150 YEARS
We’re inviting you to make a special one-off gift of £150 to support the anniversary programme. Your donation will help us deliver all these very special anniversary projects that celebrate our shared heritage over the last 150 years and will inspire future generations into the next 150.
Larger or smaller gifts are equally welcome. Every donation makes a difference. All donors will be acknowledged in our special anniversary programme and on our website, unless you prefer to remain anonymous.
Link to Just Giving Page
https://checkout.justgiving.com/gdtboadfyl
OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Messiah
Ayr Choral started 150 years ago performing Handel’s Messiah, and in the Covid 19 lock down, we performed a critically acclaimed online version of Handel’s Messiah. We will celebrate the start of our 150th year performing Messiah with the soloists and band who joined us for our lockdown Messiah in October 2020.
Our Exhibition : 150 Years of Great Singing
The exhibition will open in the Maclaurin Art Gallery launching on the 7th November and showcasing the incredible history alongside present day interviews.
Singing in Care Homes
Bringing music and connection to local care home residents through live performances and singalongs in December 2026.
An Ayr Choral Christmas
An evening of glorious Christmas music with our friends from Newmilns and Galston Brass Band and Andrew Forbes showcasing two world premieres by Sir James MacMillan and Jay Capperauld.
Come & Sing & Play Verdi Requiem
This will be a gargantuan weekend with over 200 singers and players joining together over a weekend in February to share the joy of music making on an enormous scale.
New Digital Archive & Local Skills Project
In collaboration with Ayrshire College students and our professional studio Zip Tie, we will create a film full of the special stories at the heart of our choral community.
Ayrshire Sings.
Ayrshire Sings will bring together voices and choirs from across Ayrshire including eight community groups and we will creat 4 new Primary School choirs. This large- scale celebratory day will create a truly magical moment in our celebrations, inspiring the next generation of singers and creating a lasting legacy.
Our 150th Anniversary Gala Concert.
We will perform Verdi’s Requiem with world class soloists including Karen Cargil, Luke Sinclair and Roland Wood joined by Newmilns and Galston Brass Band and The Caledonian Consort. We will also premiere a short movie telling the story of Ayr Choral in its anniversary year.
