Our new term starts on Tuesday 31st August 2010 – why not join us?

Come along to our open evening at 7.30pm, Dance For All, 106 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh. This is a very social occasion, where you’ll get a chance to meet members of the chorus over a glass of wine, learn more about what we do and our performance opportunities over the coming year, and do some singing.

We’ve already got 4 performances in the pipeline for summer/autumn 2010 and more planned in 2011. We are keen to add to our growing numbers and put on bigger and better shows, as well as providing support to other LGBT and charitable organisations.

For more details, send us an e-mail.

Hope to see you at the open evening!

Thanks to those of you who left comment cards after our recent concert…here’s a selection of a few quotes:

“Excellent! The best version of Advance Australia Fair I’ve ever heard (An Aussie)”

“Great concert – well done! Lovely soloists, particularly enjoyed This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore”

“Fab”

“It was extremely good”

“Extremely professional”

“Really wonderful…keep it up!”

“My first time at a concert and had a fab night…I wanted to sing along and dance in the pews!”

“Can’t wait till the next one!”

If you were at the concert, why not leave a comment below?

On Saturday 26 June 2010, the chorus perfomed the following songs during our World Tour. We hope you enjoyed each and every one of our songs. If you have a favourite, drop us a line  and share your views.

Advance Australia Fair (1878) – Peter McCormick
Written by Scots-born Peter McCormick, this has been the Australian national anthem since 1984, defeating “Waltzing Matilda” and “God Save the Queen” in competition.

Africa (1981) – Jeff Porcaro & David Paich 
A hit in USA & UK for rock band, “Toto”. The white writers had never been to Africa – this is their impression gleaned from TV and films.

Amarillo (1971) – Howard Greenfield & Neil Sedaka
The tale of a guy travelling to Amarillo, Texas, to find his girlfriend. After chart success all over Europe in the 70’s, the song was re-released in 2005 for Comic Relief and is still a favourite for dancing the slosh at weddings, etc.

Bali Ha’I (1949) – Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
A song from one of the greatest American musicals, “South Pacific”, which explores racial prejudice and culture clash as well as being a wonderful romance. Bali Ha’I  represents our unattainable island paradise, free from worldly cares. It was based on the island of Ambae, Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides Islands).

Blame Canada (1999) – Marc Shaiman & Trey Parker
From the sublime to the ridiculous, this was written for the film “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut”, satirising the US/Canadian relationship. American parents blame Canada for the corrupting influence of thinly-disguised camp gay guys appearing in the fictional film “Terrance & Philip:Asses of Fire”. Nominated for an Academy Award!

Down Under (1981) – Colin Hay & Ron Strykert
A satire on Ozzy life, this pop number from “Men at Work” was a hit in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden & UK. One theory is that it’s based on a Welsh folk song!
Note:”chunder” is Oz slang for “throw up”.

Finland (1989) – Michael Palin
From the album “Monty Python Sings”, this is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Finland, which is probably no more boring than any other country with 6-month long winters, lakes, forests & peat bogs (Scotland?)
Note: There are no “mountains so lofty” in Finland!

Flying the Flag (2007) – Andrew Hill, Morten Schjolin, Russ Spencer & Paul Tarry
Staying in Helsinki, Finland for a UK Eurovision entry (we came 22nd with 19 points), this bubble-gum pop number by Scooch is full of camp trolley-dolly innuendo. Can’t think why our choir would choose this one.

[Flower Duet from Lakme (1883) - Leo Delibes
On the flying theme, but by way of contrast, we have interspersed pop with the classic British Airways' anthem. Who says we don't appreciate serious music.]

From Russia with Love (1963) – Lionel Bart
Crooned by Matt Monro in the film starring Sean Connery as MI6 agent, James Bond, facing Cold War Russian agents. Strands of Monty Norman’s Bond theme are woven through this arrangement, together with the Russian song, “Kalinka”, sung at times like a lullaby, at others like a wild Cossack folk dance.

Go West (1978) – Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo & Victor Willis
Surprisingly, based on a chord progression in Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, this disco hit was originally recorded by Village People, but became a bigger hit in 1993 arranged by the Pet Shop Boys, who took some inspiration from the Russian national anthem. “Go west” was a 19th century exhortation to adventurous east coast people to push America’s boundaries as far as the Pacific. However Village People probably intended the song as encouragement to provincial gay men to head for the sexually-liberated west coast hotspots of San Francisco and Los Angeles in pre-Aids days.                                                       

The High Life (1994) – Forbes Masson & Alan Cumming 
The theme song of the outrageously camp Scots sitcom based around a flight crew – need I say more?

Istanbul (1953) – Jimmy Kennedy & Nat Simon
Another piece of divine silliness – an American idea of a Middle Eastern dance rhythm, originally recorded by Canadian group, The Four Lads, but also deemed worthy of repetition by Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Middler, & Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers!
Note: Prior to Constantinople, Istanbul was named Byzantium.

I Still Call Australia Home (1980) – Peter Allen
Probably beloved of expat Ozzies the world over as they weep into their Fosters lager. Also adopted by Qantas, the Australian national airline.

La Mer (1946) – Charles Trenet
A quintessentially French ballad, though not written about a woman, but rather a person’s love of the sea and unspoilt coast. “The ocean you may see dancing along the shimmering bays …has cradled my heart for life.” The English version has lyrics by Jack Lawrence.

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (1897) – Enoch Sontonga
Written by a Methodist teacher and originally sung as a hymn, it became the political anthem of the African National Congress in 1925. Since 1994 this Xhosa (tribal language) song has become joint South African national anthem with the old Afrikaans “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika”. It is also the national anthem of Zambia and Tanzania, and previously Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Russian National Anthem (1938) – Alexander Alexandrov
Originally the Bolsheviks’ anthem, it was adopted in 1944 to replace The Internationale, with the lyrics being re-written several times to reflect Russia’s changing political face.

San Francisco (1967) – John Phillips
A Summer of Love psychedelic-pop hit of the Flower Power generation, with references to the cultural and political changes in 60’s America. An anti- (esp. Vietnam) war anthem.

Sous les Ponts de Paris (1914) – Vincent Scotto & Jean Rodor
A ballad describing the walkways which run under Paris’s bridges, on either side of the Seine, and where even the poorest can wander in the perfumed evening air and perhaps fall in love. Ah, those seductive French!

Solos/Quartet

California (1965) – John Phillips & Michelle Phillips
A hit for The Mamas & The Papas, probably written during a freezing New York winter, while thinking of escaping to the warmth of sunny California.

Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981) – Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry & Neal Schon
Originally recorded by rock group, Journey, this is an upbeat take on starting adult life – some advice for the journey.

Going to a Town (2007) – Rufus Wainwright
A ballad about leaving the country of one’s birth and moving on to the next phase of life.

This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore (2001) – Bernie Taupin & Elton John
From the album “Songs from the West Coast”, a wistful backward glance towards the end of life’s journey.      

When in Rome I Do as the Romans Do (1964) – Carolyn Leigh & Cy Coleman
A cheeky little ditty about those sexually-charged holidays in sunny climes, where the advice (and excuse!) is to follow the local crowd. An early favourite of La Streisand.               

N.B. Songs are in alphabetical order, not the order in which they were sung. This writeup is the work of one of our chorus members and we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or incorrect details.

Saturday 26th June 2010, 8pm

St. George’s West Church
58 Shandwick Place
Edinburgh

CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW – Update 25 June….  Tickets now only available at the door on the night.

All aboard!! Join Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus on their musical journey around the world…without leaving home! From Istanbul (not Constantinople) to Africa then Down Under, you can leave your passport in the drawer.
Tickets £7 (full price), £5 (children under 16 & unwaged) on sale now.

Doors open at 7.30pm

Please advise when booking if you require a wheelchair space as these are limited in number due to the layout of the venue.

Tickets available on the door and in advance from EGMC members.

The choir have been busy rehearsing for the forthcoming summer concert which is on Saturday 26 June 2010. View a selection of photos taken during one rehearsal.

View Photo Album

It’s better to travel…so join Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus on their musical “World Tour” on Saturday 26th June, 8pm at St George’s West Church, 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh.

View more information for details on how to book.

Passengers are reminded that latecomers will not be permitted. View our performance playlist . Follow us on Facebook for up to date rehearsal and performance summaries.

Thursday 24th June 2010, 8.00pm
Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2LR

Following the success of performances in 2008 and 2009, we’ve been invited back to sing at the Scottish Real Ale Festival this year.

Go to CAMRA’s site (opens in new window).

Saturday 26th June 2010, 3.00pm (time tbc)

EGMC are delighted to support Pride Scotia 2010. Check back soon for more details.

Go to Pride Scotia’s site (opens in new window).

2009/10 session

Term 2

Starts: 12th January

Ends: 30th March

(No rehearsal Tuesday 6th April)

Term 3

Starts: 13th April

Ends: 29th June*

*this is the date of our AGM

2010/11 session

Term 1

Starts: 31st August (open evening)

Ends: 27th November**

**This is the date of our winter concert

Raising the Roof for Keymoves

Saturday 13 March 2010, 7.30pm

Polwarth Parish Church, 36-38 Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 1LU

EGMC is delighted to announce they will be teaming up with Ayrshire’s “Chi Canta” for a concert in aid of Keymoves charity. Entrance is FREE with donations to Keymoves greatly appreciated. Refreshments will be available.

Keymoves Women’s Shelter is at the forefront of service provision for homeless women in Scotland, offering vulnerable homeless women, aged eighteen years upwards, 24 hour direct access accomodation, on a temporary basis.

Chi Canta was formed by a group of singing friends who met through various choral and operatic groups in Ayrshire. From different musical backgrounds, the group is under the direction of Ann Miller and supports various charities by giving performances throughout the year.