AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR
SO MUCH MORE THAN SINGING
Gill Sherry
It’s no secret that singing brings people together. Whether taking part in it or simply listening to it, singing can enhance social connections through shared enjoyment and appreciation.
“It’s uplifting and sociable,” says John Ferguson, Secretary of Ayr Community Gospel Choir, when I ask what members of the choir enjoy about their involvement.
“We’re quite an elderly choir… most of us are retired. It’s a point of contact, people come along for the chat and the communal spirit. Whether their singing is good, bad or indifferent, it makes no difference. They enjoy the fellowship.”
The choir was formed in 2009 and has between 80 and 90 active members. John is assisted by his wife, Valerie, along with choirmaster, Bobby Irvine.
“Bobby is our leader,” John tells me. “He’s a very well-respected tenor and is very active in the Salvation Army. He also has a full-time job… he’s a busy man. He makes me feel pedestrian.”
I’m enjoying John’s wee quips, another reason, perhaps why the choir continues to attract members along on a Thursday evening.
“We rehearse in the Salvation Army Halls in John Street, Ayr, every Thursday at 7.30pm during our two sessions. We have two main concerts in the year, one in June and one in December. For the June concert we start up in late January, early February. Then we have a break after June until we start up again from mid-September onwards.”
There is no annual membership fee but those who can afford to do so are encouraged to pay a session fee of £10 to cover the cost of heating, lighting, printing and the occasional pianist.
“We generally sing with an accompanying pianist. I can only remember one acapella which was quite interesting. It came off very well… at least, we thought it did!”
Rehearsals are now focused on the choir’s Christmas concert which takes place in Ayr Town Hall on Saturday 13th December at 6.30pm. Tickets are free but demand is usually very high so advance booking is recommended.
“There’s a real mix of music, it’s not just us singing. We have guest soloists, and quite often we have some kind of band playing. We had a group of bell ringers one time from Paisley… they were terrific. It’s very uplifting.”
I’m still trying to figure out if that was a deliberate pun or not when John begins to tell me about the choir’s fundraising endeavours.
“We always raise money for a charity, usually local but sometimes national. Over the years we’ve collected somewhere in the region of £80,000 for different charities. It’s usually about £3,000 a concert. We have a collection which people put money in, if they can.”
The choir’s goodwill also extends to other concerts including a performance at Buchanan Galleries each December in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital.
“We’ve done a lot of fundraising for churches and that kind of thing, and we’ve sung at some of the Salvation Army jamborees.”
The choir is open to all, regardless of age or singing ability.
“We’re a little bit short on male voices just now, so any male voices that want to come along are very welcome! But it’s open to anybody, all that’s required is that you have a pulse!”
If you’re interested in joining or would like to find out more about Ayr Community Gospel Choir, you’re invited to pop along to rehearsals on a Thursday evening at 7.30pm. Alternatively, you can email John at ferguson.john@btinternet.com.
“Our ethos is that anybody, regardless of wealth, can enjoy an evening of music. That’s what it’s all about. If you have no money at all, you can still come in, there’s no judgement made.”
There’s also plenty to look forward to.
“We’ve had a 10th anniversary dinner and a 15th anniversary dinner, so in four years’ time we’ll be having our 20th anniversary dinner… as long as Bobby doesn’t retire!”
In the meantime, if you’d like tickets for the Christmas concert on 13th December, please email acgc.tickets@btinternet.com.
