Friends of the Helensburgh Choral Festival

 

Derek Clark

Glasgow-born pianist and conductor Derek Clark is an Honours graduate of the RSAMD and Durham University. After study at the London Opera Centre, he joined the music staff of Welsh National Opera, making his conducting debut there in 1982, going on to conduct more than 20 operas and many concerts for the company. He returned to Scotland in 1997 to become Scottish Opera’s Head of Music where he conducted operas by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, Massenet, Tchaikovsky and several contemporary composers, as well as four Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. Since his retirement in 2023, he has worked for Garsington Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Melbourne Opera and the Edinburgh International Festival. He has been Musical Director of Dundee Choral Union since 2011 and, since 2014, Director of Music at Helensburgh Parish Church, where his annual carol concerts and concerto performances have raised over £40,000 for various charities.
 

 

John Butt

Coming soon

 

Our Choral Partners

 

Helensburgh Oratorio Choir

The choir has been entertaining audiences with high-quality choral singing since its inaugural concert in October 1963 - Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah. Recent concerts cover four centuries of composers from Purcell to Goodall.

To the delight of our audiences, drawn from local residents to regular visitors from over 50 miles away, we perform choral works of the highest standard with professional orchestras and soloists. In addition to our large-scale concerts, we also undertake a number of charity concerts in venues from Stirling to Haddington. If you are interested in the choir performing in your area, please feel free to contact us. 

 

Dorian Choir

The Dorian Choir is delighted to be involved with the inaugural Helensburgh Choral Festival.

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 Helensburgh.  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.  We have two main concerts a year plus various fundraising events.  The first event is very soon on 3 October at Monty's Farm Park, between Helensburgh and Cardross, where we will be hosting an informal Cheese and Wine concert in support of Alzheimer's Scotland (wine, cheese and music - what's not to like?).

Details on our website www.helensburgh-dorian-choir.uk and on Facebook.

 

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, 7:30-9:30.  New term commences Thursday 3rd September 2026.

Our repertoire is a mix of all styles from Bach to Boogie to Bob Dylan and everything in between.  Members are free to suggest pieces for consideration.  We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we take our music very seriously and always give our audiences our best performance.  

You are welcome to come to any of our rehearsals and give it a try. Find your inner voice.  No auditions, and teach tracks given for you to learn the songs.  We also have sectional practices once a month.

Rehearsals are fun with health and wellbeing included in the singing.  There is a short break for a chat with tea / coffee and biscuits (and occasionally cake for good behaviour).     ~Moira Frize-Williams, Musical Director
 

Military Wives Choir

The Military Wives Choirs is a community of over 1800 women in 70 choirs across the UK and internationally. We come together to celebrate a love of singing and a communal understanding that comes from our members' shared experiences of Armed Forces life.

Not just for wives, we welcome all women who have an immediate military connection.

Our repertoire ranges from rock, pop and traditional tunes through to seasonal classics and songs from the musicals.

There's no need to audition and you don't have to be able to read music. Whether your singing experience is bopping along to the radio in the car, you once sang in a school play or you've been part of a choral group before, our sessions are suitable for all levels.

Rehearsals are on Mondays from 18:45 - 20:45 at Helensburgh Rugby Club.

We're always delighted to welcome new members.  The first 'taster' session is FREE. 

For more information email westofscotland@militarywiveschoirs.org

 

Tartan Harmony Choir

Tartan Harmony is a four-part, all female a cappella choir, based in Helensburgh.  We were the first Scottish member of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) but sing a range of styles.  We are currently recruiting people in the higher voice register.  No experience necessary, and most of us can't read music, so that is definitely not a requirement. For more information get in touch by emailing tartanharmony@gmail.c0m or Facebook.

 

Rock Choir

Welcome to Rock Choir – where music, friendship, and community come together.

With over 400+ local choirs across the UK and Ireland, Rock Choir brings thousands of people together every week through the shared joy of singing and the friendships that come with it.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have years of experience, you’ll find a fun, supportive environment where you can simply turn up, sing, and feel fantastic — no auditions, no need to read music.

Enjoy the proven well-being benefits of group singing and meet like-minded people along the way.

Rock Choir is so much more than just a choir! Our choirs are open to everyone, no auditions and no need to read music. If you want to come along for a taster session, just go to www.rockchoir.com
 

Soulwind Women's Harmony Singing Circle

In Soulwind we always sing in a circle, women's voices blending and tuning together, with laughter, time for contemplation and a strong focus on deep listening and becoming one through the song.

Everything is taught by ear in three part harmony by Ali Mills and is often about the land, peace & hope. We often sing outside, sometimes on hilltops, beaches and in beautiful and extraordinary places.

To find out more about Soulwind and for booking links go to: soulwindharmony.org or email soulwindharmony@icloud.com