What the singers do when they’re not singing
The Musical Minister
William Young
A minister in the United Reformed Church with congregations in Clydebank and Drumchapel, William has been a member of the chorus since 2006. As well as enjoying singing the likes of Tippett: A Child of Our Time and Mahler’s second symphony as part of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, William also loves to sing jazz and performs in various jazz clubs across the country.
The Tuneful Teacher
Lorraine Veitch Rutherford
A member of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus since 1973, Lorraine is a shining light in the group, with her vibrant dress sense and zest for life; she believes singing in the chorus to be a real privilege. As a singing teacher Lorraine passes on all the teachings from her chorus masters, past and present, as well as the fabulous conductors who have worked with the chorus over the years, from Claudio Abbado to Carlo Maria Giulini and Donald Runnicles.
The Dulcet Doctor
Dr John Anderton
Retired kidney specialist, Dr John Anderton is the longest standing member of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. He performed in the first ever concert at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1965 and has sung with the chorus for the past 50 years. He still enjoys listening to that inaugural Mahler 8 concert which his wife recorded on reel to reel back in ’65. (Photograph by Stuart Armitt)
The Melodic Midwife
Lesley Walker
Lesley is a community midwife and has remained dedicated to the chorus for thirty three years! Lesley Walker adores her job and remembers as a student midwife singing to the babies on the ward. Her fellow nurses were quite surprised and spooked when they heard her beautiful yet haunting voice as they had no idea where it was coming from! At times Lesley’s job can be emotional but she finds that singing with the chorus can be a great escape from the day to day challenges; she simply can’t imagine her life without singing.
The Alto Archvist
Kathy Crawford-Hay
Singing alto in the chorus since 1983, Kathy Crawford Hay is also one of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus Trust Fund Trustees. The trust fund has helped to contribute towards a new piano at The Hub to the teas and biscuits at rehearsals. Kathy is the unofficial archivist at the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and has a vast collection of photos charting the story of the chorus and has wonderful memories of her time spent performing and touring with them. (Photograph by Stuart Armitt)
