Vote for KOS!
Good news from our friends in the Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society … plus a call to action!
The Royal Philharmonic Society annual awards recognise star musicians, ensembles, and ventures in classical music “lifting hearts and minds across the nation”. Among these, the RPS Inspiration Award is specially presented to non-professional ensembles, “recognising local heroes who do so much year-round to bring people together through music”, and the winner is unusual in being chosen by public vote … which is where you come in, because KOS are on the short-list of four, and the only one of the four in Scotland! Click the image to see the good things that RPS has to say about KOS.
Please vote for KOS at this link, and pass this on the message to anyone else who might like to support KOS. Voting closes at 11am on Monday 2 February 2026 and the winner will be revealed at the 2026 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards on Thursday 12 March.
Cheerily carols … the Society!
Yesterday found us at Tesco Fire Station, Dunfermline, singing for two hours and delighting the shoppers. It was a hard sing for our small group, but we enjoyed “gathering winter fuel” to warm our Treasurer’s heart! And the descants were as lovely as the ladies …
Your Society is committed to three more sessions, and we’d welcome help from current and former members, and any “sisters, cousins and aunts” you care to bring along. The more singers, the better! Try to come to all of a session, but the odd hour is also really useful as we need a good turnout to keep up the good sound.
You don’t need to tell us in advance that you’re coming – though Jack would be encouraged to know! – but on arrival you do need to call at Customer Services to sign in, and register your car so you don’t get charged for staying in the car park for over two hours.
- Saturday 13 December 10.00am–2.00pm (at checkouts)
- Sunday 14 December 12n–2.00pm (at the foot of the travelator)
- Thursday 18 December 4.00–7.00pm (at checkouts)
And to all those who sing with us, or hear us sing … Merry Christmas!
DGASS at Buxton
We’re delighted to announce that DGASS have been invited to perform “The Jury’s Out” at the prestigious International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival at Buxton next year. As you’ll see at this link, our performance at 2.30pm on Wednesday 5 August 2026 at St John’s Church, Buxton, is sandwiched between an HMS Pinafore sing-a-long and a pre-theatre talk about The Mikado.
Our 2025 production will be adapted to a semi-staged concert version with piano(s), and we’re hoping most of the première cast will be able to reprise their performances in Derbyshire. More details later – there’ll be rehearsals after Strictly Patience in order to get us back up to speed. Meanwhile, book the date (we’ll get a chance to rehearse at the venue on the afternoon/evening before the show), and start thinking soon about transport and accommodation.
We’d love to have supporters for our show, and you’d enjoy the rest of the Festival. For example, at the Opera House there’s a performance of The Mikado on the evening of our show, and our friends from the Edinburgh G&S Society are performing Iolanthe on Monday 3 August.
General booking starts in February, but the programme is available now at this link.
Fife Opera performing La Bohème
Fife Opera is performing La Bohème at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy at 7.15pm on Friday 7 November and 2.15pm on Saturday 8 November. Click the image to visit the company’s Facebook page for an introduction to their stellar cast!
Composed by Giacomo Puccini, La Bohème is a timeless opera that beautifully captures the joys and sorrows of young love. Originally set in Paris in the 1830s, it follows a group of struggling artists, following on the passionate yet tragic romance between the poet Rodolfo and the delicate seamstress Mimi. With its poignant melodies and emotional depth, La Bohème explores themes of love, friendship, and the fragility of life, making it one of the most-beloved and frequently-performed operas in the world.
Tickets: Adults £20, Concessions £18, Children £8 from 01592 596094 or email ticketmanager@fifeopera.org.uk or via the Adam Smith box office. There is a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more.
Footnote: You’re also invited to join Fife Opera for a night of music that truly captures the magic of Christmas! Their Opera Christmas Concert — “a magical evening where timeless carols and soaring arias fill the air with warmth and wonder” – is on Friday 19 December. Details in due course on their website.
Hear us sing!
The coming months offer several opportunities to hear members of the Society in action:
Tickets £10, on the door, or available in advance from Anne (07703 483083)
Later, in a more informal setting, we will be singing carols at Tesco Fire Station, Dunfermline, with four sessions booked.
- Thursday 11 December 4.00–6.00pm (at checkouts)
- Saturday 13 December 10.00am–2.00pm (at checkouts)
- Sunday 14 December 12n–2.00pm (at the foot of the travelator)
- Thursday 18 December 4.00–7.00pm (at checkouts)
Current and former members are welcome to sing with us, as are your friends and relations – the more singers, the better! Try to come to all of a session, but the odd hour is also really useful as we need a good turnout to make a good sound. Please note that, for security reasons, we need to give the store the names of those performing in advance of each session, so please register your interest by emailing Ellen.
“On the lighter side … ” – 1
Details by clicking the image.
Strictly Patience rehearsals starting soon
The first rehearsal for Strictly Patience is Wednesday 27 August at Limekilns Parish Church. This will be preceded by a social event from 18:30. (Small donations of cake and biscuits welcome) This will give everyone a chance to catch up and to welcome new members. We’ll start singing around 19:30 with Musical Director Eddie MacLennan and Accompanist Carol Madden.
Printed vocal scores will be available to borrow at the rehearsal, but let Ellen Patrick know if you want a pdf score in the meantime.
Please bring along potential new members!
Rehearsals 2025–26:
Linda Milne (director) will be producing a rehearsal schedule, but the outline is:
Before Christmas:
- the Chorus will rehearse on Wednesdays 19:30–21:30 and there may also be the odd Sunday rehearsal from 14:00–16:00
- Principals will rehearse on Wednesdays 18:30–21:30 and there will also be some scheduled Sunday rehearsals from 14:00–16:00
After Christmas:
- the Chorus will rehearse on Wednesdays 19:30–21:30
- Principals will rehearse on Wednesdays 18:30–21:30
- both Chorus and Principals will rehearse 17:00–19:00 on Sundays from 4 January
Next appearance
Your next chance to see the Society on stage at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline will be on 19–21 February 2026 in a sparkling production of Strictly Patience.
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