With thanks to Sheena Wellington, here's news of a couple of upcoming events:
7TH FEBRUARY
On Wednesday, 7th February, Barbara Dymock one of Scotland’s most respected singers is the guest at the Friends of Wighton Lunchtime Recital. The recital in the Central Library’s Wighton Heritage Centre starts at 1.15pm and admission is free.
A doctor to trade, a fly-Fifer by birth, singing is Barbara’s main hobby, passion and interest. She literally learnt Scottish and Irish songs at her grandparents’ knees, but until joining Dundee University Folk Club in the 70s, didn’t realize anyone would want to listen to her singing them. With friends made at that club she formed the all-female a cappella group Fair Game. Barbara was also a founder member of the band Ceolbeg, one of the finest traditional bands to emerge in the late 70’s.
For a while Barbara’s singing became limited mostly to lullabies, nursery rhymes and children’s television themes due to the arrival of 3 sons. As work and childcare permitted she had a couple of brief forays into 2 other bands in the 80s and 90s, Rathlin and Fon a Bhord - with a selection of very weel-kent Scottish traditional musicians.
Now the kids are all grown up rugby players, currently Barbara sings solo, or with a cappella divas Palaver, and occasionally in a duo with tradition-bearer Maureen Jelks. She’s a bit of a musical hing-oot and enjoys singing with anyone who asks really. A brand new venture is the duo Sinsheen with Christine Kydd. Christine is best known for her groundbreaking work in the duo Janet Russell and Christine Kydd, harmony group Chantan and more recently with Calluna.
Legend is not always loud, particularly in the beneath-the-radar substreams of Scottish folk music. Barbara who? She’s been hiding her light under a bushel for a while, but holds a unique position as a fresh veteran of the Scottish music world (is that an oxymoron?).
Her innovative airings of traditional songs; merging dynamism, power and grace, delivered with fun, passion, pedigree (and maybe a bit of bodhran) are sure to enhance her growing reputation.
A doctor to trade, a fly-Fifer by birth, singing is Barbara’s main hobby, passion and interest. She literally learnt Scottish and Irish songs at her grandparents’ knees, but until joining Dundee University Folk Club in the 70s, didn’t realize anyone would want to listen to her singing them. With friends made at that club she formed the all-female a cappella group Fair Game. Barbara was also a founder member of the band Ceolbeg, one of the finest traditional bands to emerge in the late 70’s.
For a while Barbara’s singing became limited mostly to lullabies, nursery rhymes and children’s television themes due to the arrival of 3 sons. As work and childcare permitted she had a couple of brief forays into 2 other bands in the 80s and 90s, Rathlin and Fon a Bhord - with a selection of very weel-kent Scottish traditional musicians.
Now the kids are all grown up rugby players, currently Barbara sings solo, or with a cappella divas Palaver, and occasionally in a duo with tradition-bearer Maureen Jelks. She’s a bit of a musical hing-oot and enjoys singing with anyone who asks really. A brand new venture is the duo Sinsheen with Christine Kydd. Christine is best known for her groundbreaking work in the duo Janet Russell and Christine Kydd, harmony group Chantan and more recently with Calluna.
Legend is not always loud, particularly in the beneath-the-radar substreams of Scottish folk music. Barbara who? She’s been hiding her light under a bushel for a while, but holds a unique position as a fresh veteran of the Scottish music world (is that an oxymoron?).
Her innovative airings of traditional songs; merging dynamism, power and grace, delivered with fun, passion, pedigree (and maybe a bit of bodhran) are sure to enhance her growing reputation.
9TH FEBRUARY
A Dundee Celebration - Caird Hall, February 9th, 2007, 4pm- The University of Dundee will begin a year of events to mark its 40th anniversary with "A Dundee Celebration", a special ceremony recognising the key links formed with the city and honouring some of its key figures.The event in the Caird Hall on February 9th marks four decades of partnership between the city and the University.
It will see degrees bestowed upon some of the people who have shown Dundee at its best in sport, academia, science, civic duty and the arts.Those receiving honorary degrees are Liz McColgan, Lord Provost John Letford, Michael Marra, Baroness Clark of Calton, Bishop Vincent Logan, Professor Sir Philip Cohen, Russell Reid and Norman Robertson.
"It is entirely appropriate that a year of celebrating the University’s 40th anniversary should begin with an event that highlights the close and growing relationship between the city and the University," said Sir Alan Langlands, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee.
"We enjoy an excellent relationship with the city and its people, and the 40th anniversary is a chance to celebrate that."I am delighted that we are also able to honour a group of people whose achievements have brought recognition to the city from all corners of the globe and who have all contributed greatly to the life of Dundee. I hope many of the people of Dundee will join us in celebration on February 9th.
"The event, which will feature a performance from the Dundee Rep Women's Choir "Loadsaweeminsingin", is open to the public and tickets are available from the City Square Booking Office, the reception desk at the University tower building on Nethergate, or by e-mailing events@dundee.ac.uk. The event takes place at 4 pm on February 9th.
As Sheena says, "This will be a graduation like no other! Do come along and spread the word to friends – there’s plenty of seats in the Caird Hall!"