Saturday 19 September 2026
Come and Sing Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass
With Susannah Wapshott and the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir
Join us for an unforgettable day of music-making at our Come and Sing event featuring Ola Gjeilo's compelling Sunrise Mass. Led by Susannah Wapshott, Chorus Director for Scottish Opera and Music Director of Helensburgh Oratorio Choir, you'll master the full complex structure of this contemporary work. Working under Susannah's expert guidance, you'll discover how a room full of singers can transform from individual voices into a concert-ready ensemble—all in a single day. Whether you're an experienced singer or simply enjoy singing with others, this is a rare opportunity to create something truly special together. Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and part of something exceptional. Options are available for those who wish to join us for a shorter time, or just for the concert itself.
Click here for further details and ticketing.
Celebration of Helensburgh Choral Music
With Derek Clark and representatives from the local choirs of Helensburgh
Join five Helensburgh choirs along with Derek Clark, a mainstay of the music community in Helensburgh and beyond, as we celebrate the diverse choral music offerings of our small but mighty community. Helensburgh Oratorio Choir, the Dorian Choir, the Peninsula Choir, the Military Wives Choir and Tartan Harmony Choir will come together to share highlights from their choral repertoire. There will be no charge for this event, but a retiring collection will be made for charity.
Sunday 20 September 2026
Sunday Service with augmented choir
With Derek Clark and the Helensburgh Parish Church choir (and friends)
Our usual Sunday service will be uplifted with the addition of an augmented choir, highlighting the important place of music as a form of worship and expression of faith. Whether you are a churchgoer in another location, or whether you don't usually attend, you are welcome to come and join the congregation of Helensburgh Parish Church. This is an opportunity to experience how the power of shared singing can deepen spiritual contemplation and create moments of profound connection within worship. Come as you are – no strings attached!
Choral Workshop: Mozart Requiem
With John Butt OBE, FRSE, FBA
Experience Mozart's Requiem with one of Britain's finest musical minds. John Butt, director of the Dunedin Consort's Gramophone Award-winning recording of this piece, will lead a transformative workshop, bringing the work's profound beauty to life alongside soloists from the ensemble itself. Whether you're seeking fresh insights into a familiar piece or are keen to start learning from scratch, you'll gain invaluable understanding of Mozart's genius while discovering what it means to sing at the highest level. This is a rare chance to learn directly from a world-class conductor and be part of something truly exceptional.
Click here for further details and ticketing.
Sean Nelis - Requiem
With composer, Sean Nelis
Sean, a local composer from Inverclyde, will conduct a performance of his own composition of the Requiem Mass, selecting parts of the historic religious text and setting them to music. The Nelis Requiem will be performed by four soloists, a chamber choir, and a quintet of instrumentalists. Come and listen to this new piece of music from a local composer who has been making waves with his original and moving compositions.
Click here for further details and ticketing.
Please also consider the following invitations from our choral partners in the Helensburgh region:
Sunday 20 September 2026
Late Summer Concert: Peninsula Choir
Soloists: Derek Clark, Piano; Nicola Beard, Oboe; Kristina Frize-Williams, Soprano
The programme will continue our celebration of the John Logie Baird centenary of the invention of Television. There will be a mix o TV themes and music associated with programmes, in a diverse and eclectic concert. Tickets adults £12, students £6:00, children under 12 free.
Tuesday 22 September 2026
Open Rehearsal: Dorian Choir
We are a well established, non-audition, inclusive and friendly choir who perform a wide repertoire of music from classical, traditional and folk to songs from the musicals and contemporary popular pieces of music.
We are expertly guided by our musical director Sian Winstanley and piano accompanist Jane Hepworth. We rehearse every Tuesday evening in the United Reformed Church in Helensbugh. New members are more than welcome. A special open rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 22nd September at 7:15pm. Please come along and see what it's all about.
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Equinox Sing, with Soulwind
Details to follow
Open Rehearsal: Peninsula Choir
The Peninsula Choir is a small community mixed voice choir of 30 singers. We meet in Cove Burgh Hall every week from September to April on the first Thursday of the month and the following Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9:30pm. We are always pleased to welcome people to our rehearsals so we would invite anyone interested to come to our rehearsal at Cove Burgh Hall on Wednesday 23rd September from 7:30 - 9:30 with a break for refreshments and chat, or indeed to any rehearsal.
