Commonly known as the GG, Ceòlraidh Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu is the world’s largest Gaelic choir, singing choral music in the language from Glasgow since 1893. Another page in the choir’s history is turned this year as Iseabail Mactaggart lifts the baton relinquished by Kenneth Thomson, the GG’s musical director of 42 years. A concert at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall will mark that moment. 

DI Brown, a longstanding member of the choir, is one of the Mòd Gold Medal winners who will feature in this concert as soloist alongside the likes of Joy Dunlop and Iain Cormack. ‘The evening will be a celebration of some of Kenny’s best known choral arrangements alongside songs he has always admired,’ notes Brown, recognising Thomson’s lasting contribution not only to singing but to the music that is sung. The city centre venue is key to this concert’s appeal, with Brown insisting that ‘such a celebration needed somewhere that was slightly more prestigious for this one-off event.’

While this is a retrospective, the concert looks forward too. Mactaggart will also be singing with the choir while Brown states that ‘there may be some other surprise items which will involve her as well!’ Showcasing a huge range of talented singers keeping Gaelic alive at community level, Brown insists that ‘we feel blessed as a choir to have such amazing ability in our midst.’

Ceòlraidh Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Friday 14 March.