Historic Badenoch will sing out at chorale evening
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A historic pipe organ restored by a devoted Badenoch church congregation will ring out loud and true on Sunday (June 2) at a choral concert.
Kingussie Parish Kirk's Grade II certified Evans and Barr organ was installed in Kingussie Church in May 1926 and 90 years on the church wanted to restore it to its full former glory.
At the same time the church explored and documented its history and, in raising tens of thousands of pounds to do the job, engaged the local community.
Professional organ builders travelled from Europe to conduct a complete overhaul of the organ, while pupils from local schools worked on researching the history of the instrument and how it works.
Pupils created a DVD and interpretative panel in the church and published a leaflet to tell visitors the whole story of the remarkable instrument.
Once restored, local organists offered to run tutorials and workshops to help people learn to play the organ, and volunteers were trained in giving tours of the church with reference to the organ.
Now the Badenoch Chorale are rehearsing for a concern on Sunday, starting at 7pm, whose packed programme will include a duet for clarinet and organ.
One of the prime movers of the campaign to restore the organ, Eppy Mackay, told the Strathy: "There will be a wide range of choral pieces, some well known and perhaps others not so familiar. Solos, duets and instrumental items will add variety. There will definitely be something to suit everyone’s taste."