With a season’s theme of … Variations on a Theme …, the Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society reaches Variation 4 and presents concerts at Queen Anne High School, Dunfermline on Friday 16 March at 7.00pm, and at the Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy on Sunday 18 March at 3.00pm.

The main work in the programme is the Trumpet Concerto by Bruce Fraser whose sudden death a year ago shocked the musical world. The soloists will be John Wallace, CBE, former Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Kate Cooper, a 4th year student at the RCS and a former pupil of Queen Anne High School.

Ellen Patrick says: “This should be an excellent concert – interesting and varied programme. The ballet music from Pineapple Poll contains tunes from many G&S operas. One of the composers, John Gourlay, played the oboe in The Mikado. There will be six or seven of The Mikado orchestra players performing.”  More information on the poster linked to the image.

Tickets £8 for adults and £4 for children on the door or via Glen Driver (07473 752369) for the Dunfermline concert. Tickets for the Kirkcaldy concert from Ellen Patrick.

Our friends in the Kirkcaldy G&S Society are performing The Pirates of Penzance at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, next week: Wednesday–Saturday 7–10 March at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinée at 2:30pm.

We know it will be good fun, and that we’ll recognise some well-kent characters who have graced our own productions, with Robin Ożóg playing Major-General Stanley (as well as directing the show), Nick Temperley as young Frederic, Dave Smith as Sergeant of Police, and some of our chorus members as pirates.

What’s not to like! Tickets are available from the KGASS ticket page or by contacting Elaine on 07949 381898.

Come and support the four players from our Mikado orchestra who will be performing in Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society’s Winter Concerts with the Langtoun Singers. Two performances on Sunday 17 December at 2.00pm and 4.00pm at The Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy.

The programme includes Fraser’s “The Snow Queen”, excerpts from “The Nutcracker” (Tchaikowsky), the “Dance of the Tumblers” (Rimsky-Korsakov), and Christmas carols. More information on the poster linked to the image.

“If you call for a song of the sea” and don’t want to wait for Alex to sing it at our show in February, you might enjoy the next EDGAS event. After an amazing sold-out finale of Oklahoma, they’ve already kicked off their cowboy boots and started rehearsing for their next big adventure, when they’ve been invited to sing alongside the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland at the Usher Hall on Wednesday 29 November. The programme will include traditional marches, well-known classical and Gilbert & Sullivan pieces, with solo performances by members of the Royal Marine Band. The concert begins at 7:30pm and prices start at £17: all proceeds go to Seafarers UK. Full details by clicking the image.

The Dunfermline Arts Guild 2017–18 series of chamber music concerts – “Music on Sundays” – takes a new twist on 10 December 2017, when the venue for the regular 7.30pm slot changes to the Tiffany Lounge at Carnegie Hall for a programme of French Cabaret Songs performed by Heidi Innes and David Vernon. Click the image to get a flavour of their 2016 Festival Fringe show.

Ask Jean Kennedy or Martin Tarr for a personal recommendation – you can’t beat live music, and it’s great value for £10! Details about the other Sunday evening concerts, which take place at Carnegie through to March, are in the linked brochure – there’s a wealth of musical talent, in a variety of ensembles and styles to suit everyone.

Five or six of our current or ex-members sing with the Kingdom Singers, from whom we’ve had a warm invitation to join in some carol-singing with the choir and enjoy Christmas refreshments.

Get in the mood for Christmas at Gillespie Church, Chapel Street, Dunfermline on Friday 8 December at 7.30pm. Tickets at £8.00 (concessions £6.00) including refreshments will be available at the door, but do buy in advance from members (ask Douglas Reid or Ann Duly), through their Facebook page or email ku.oc.evilnull@sregnismodgnik. There’s a poster linked to the image.

Do you like wonderful deep bass sounds and stunning choral music? If so, there’s good news for you: Jurij Maruk will be bringing his Voskresenije Choir (the name means Resurrection) back to West Fife for their fifth visit. As usual, this award-winning a cappella ensemble of former students of St Petersburg Music Conservatoire are presenting a programme of traditional sacred music and folk songs. The first half will feature music from the Orthodox Church tradition, with a set of Russian folk songs after the interval, and this year’s programme will be entirely different from 2016!

The 2017 concert is on Sunday 19 November, at 3.00pm at St Margaret’s RC Memorial Church in East Port, Dunfermline, KY12 7JB. Tickets £10 are now available from moc.oohaynull@stekcitriohcnaissur or telephone 07525 920728.