Lothian Gaelic Choir
Choir, founded in 1985, is the youngest of the two adult Gaelic Choirs in the Edinburgh Area. We have around forty active members with representation from all age groups between 18 and 80. As the name suggests, we sing in Gaelic and compete in many local Mods around Scotland each year including at the Royal National Mod every October. We compete in the Choral competitions as a full ensemble and as Mens and Ladies choirs. We also have many very successful soloists as well as talented musicians.
	Aims>

Our Aims
The full aims of the Choir are set out in its Constitution and Rules, but are in essence to help to further Gaelic language, music and culture in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, and to support as best it can other groups with similar aims.
<Choir	20th Anniversary>

Our 20th Anniversary
2005 was the choirs 20th anniversary year and we celebrated in style by attending Mod Vancouver in Canada. The trip was an overwhelming success and we are already harbouring thoughts of future international soujourns for the choir.
A collection of the trophies won by the choir at Mod Vancouver 2005
To make the occaission of our anniversary year even more special we commissioned the well-known Gaelic Bard Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail to write a poem. Aonghas wrote "Oran Lodainn" (The Lothian Song) and we have since learned that it is the first Gaelic poem written about the Lothians in over 100 years. We thank Anne McDermid for her stirring musical arrangement for the poem.
<Aims	Practices>

Practices
Practices take place most Thursday evenings at 7.30pm – 9.30pm in Tollcross Primary School and during School Holidays, smaller groups often hold less "formal" practices at various locations, mainly in members' homes.
The time at practices is given over to learning the competition pieces for the Local and National Mods, as well as any other songs, new or old, in order to maintain and expand the Choir's repertoire for use in future performances. The standard of performance, competitive or otherwise, expected by the Choir is high, and regular attendance at practices and work outwith them will assist members in maintaining this standard and improve their chances for selection in competition Choirs.
Music CDs and tapes are produced for each of the four Choir sections (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) and are essential not only for those who cannot read music or play an instrument, but for all members to practise with and even sing along to during the week. They also include a spoken recording of the lyrics, to help with Gaelic practice and the learning of the song. The Choir also has an abundance of native and fluent Gaelic speakers who are always happy to assist learners.
Singing is thirsty work, and after practices we unwind at Bennetts Bar (Tollcross, next to the Kings Theatre) with a drink, a chat, and perhaps a few more songs.
<20th Anniversary	Committee>

Committee 2006
President
	John MacLeod is a native Gaelic speaker from Lewis and although a regular participant at the Mod, had never intended joining a choir. He was dragged along to a practice by his daughter, Mairi, who was turning 16 and was keen to join. That was back in 2002 and although Mairi has since parted company with the choir to attend the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, John has not yet found his escape route.
Conductor
	Jackie Cotter is a founder member of the choir and was appointed to the position in a 'full time' capacity following our success at Mod Lochaber 1999. Apart from conducting the full choir and the mens and ladies choirs, Jackie also finds the time to sing in solo competitions at the Mod and recently reached the Silver Pendant final at the Royal National Mod. Jackie is a very energetic and dedicated conductor and is also famous throughout the Gaelic community for her incredible variety of red shoes.
Gaelic Tutor
	Catriona MacKinnon has also been with us from the beginning and has the responsibility of ensuring that the Choir's Gaelic is consistent and of a high standard. She advises the choir on the correct pronunciation and meaning of the Gaelic lyrics. This helps us convey the correct expression and feeling whilst singing. Catriona is orignially from Eriskay and claims to have drunk whisky from the SS Politician (infamous shipwreck and inspiration for Compton MacKenzies Whisky Galore). We don’t think she is old enough but just in case its true, don’t tell the tax man!
Secretaries
	May Logan is a founder member of the choir. Her favourite choir memory is driving through Callander on her way home from Fort William Mod in 1999. "I had left after the competition as we were going to Portugal at 4am the following morning. My mobile rang and Jackie was saying “we’ve won, we’ve won” What’s a girl to do? I turned the car back round and hot-footed it back to Fort William in floods of tears to join the celebrations before driving home to Fauldhouse in the wee sma’ hours.
	Deirdre MacLeod joined the choir in 2003 but claims it was all a terrible mistake as she was actually searching for Lothian Dalek Hire. It is believed that Deirdre has since given up her Dalek hunt and that she probably really joined us as her interest grew in her families Lewis ties.
Treasurer
	Henry Scullion joined in 1991 after a brief liquid membership. He mostly sings Tenor but is also an part-time Barritone or Bass. An occaisional seagull, Henry once participated in a choir sing-a-long by text message from 5,000 miles distant.
Social Convenor
	Katie Smith joined Lothian after a free transfer from Strath choir during 2004 after relocating from Kyle of Lochalsh to Edinburgh to attend university. Katie has continued to experience the success she enjoyed as a junior competitor at the Mod by winning the 2005 Ladies Silver Pendant in her first senior year.
Committee Members
	Martin Gourlay originally joined the choir back in 1989 but after a break rejoined in 2000. Martin plays Mandolin in the choirs very own ceilidh band and is currently working on a new dance named "The Stornoway Ferry", inspired by the return crossing to Ullapool after last years Mod.
	Rena Gertz joined Lothian in May 2002 after moving to Edinburgh from the North-East where she had previously been a member the Aberdeen and Gordon choirs. Originally from Germany, Rena holds a silver card for Gaelic and competes in solo and duet competitions at mods. Renas' flowing locks have earned her the nickname Rena Rhuadh.
	Ranald Mackechnie originally joined in November 1987 but has recently rejoined us after a break. Ranald joined to improve his Gaelic and because he loves singing.
<Practices