What is Sangschule?
Sangschule has over 30 members who come from all around West Lothian and the surrounding area to learn new songs and learn more about old favourites. Anyone can start coming any time. All you need is an interest in traditional song and the desire to sing. We believe that singing is something that everyone can do - we certainly don't see any need for auditions, and there is no need at all to be able to read music. Read a historical view about the benefits of singing.
What sort of songs do we sing?
We sing songs from all over the world, some brought along by our tutors, and many brought in by our members. Our only rule is ‘No solo songs - everyone joins in!’
We welcome anybody who enjoys singing with others and who is interested in learning more songs. Many of these are in the Scottish musical tradition, other come from a wide range of countries.
As an example of the sort of songs we sing, here is Sangschule singing a song by Scott Murray of the Sangsters, who with his wife Anne is one of our other frequent tutors. "A Dyker's compliments to her neebors" includes many of the insults formerly hurled by the young women of Cellardykes at the residents of neighbouring villages in the East Neuk. More songs are available here.
Who teaches the songs?
- Our sessions are a mixture, some tutored by a range of established singers, others by group members who have built up skill in teaching songs over the past few years. Here is our current programme.
- Our current regular tutor is Gordeanna McCulloch, and we will also enjoy working with Elaine Wallace and Sylvia McGowan of Stairheid Gossip (who have worked with us regularly in the past) in the next few weeks. We will also welcome back Amy Lord, tutor of another group like Sangschule, and herself a finalist in the BBC 2008 Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.
Where we meet
Our new venue...
- From 24th September 2008, Sangschule will be meeting in the Staff-room at Linlithgow Academy. We will put up signs to the room, but you can find it by turning right inside the main door, up a few steps, and going a few yards along the corridor. There is disabled access, and school staff will be happy to assist with the wheelchair route to the room, which is much longer than the route just described. If you want more information about this, or any other aspect of our move, please phone Susan on 01506 843592.
- Here is a Multimap reference, and this is a Google Maps reference to help you find Linlithgow Academy.
Why have we moved?
- In August 2004, ten years after the group first met (originally as an group run by the then West Lothian District Council Arts Unit), Sangschule relocated back to the centre of Linlithgow - to the Burgh Halls at Linlithgow Cross (access from the Kirkgate). We have spent much of our past in various meeting rooms around the Kirkgate, down the hill from St Michael's Kirk. The original Sangschule (Song School), consisting of young church choristers from St Michael's, attended "schule" somewhere on the Kirkgate about 500 years ago.
- Our move in summer 2008 has been brought about by the complete temporary closure of the Burgh Halls for an exciting major redevelopment. We hope to move back there in a couple of years. West Lothian Council's website has reported: "The restored Burgh Halls will be a multi-purpose centre featuring heritage interpretation, visual arts and crafts, arts education programmes, events and activities. Schools will use it as a resource to study the long and fascinating story of the building, its links to the Palace and St Michael's Parish Church and its long-standing central role for the Linlithgow community. It will also strengthen the building's traditional role as Linlithgow's Town House, staging events and celebrations including the Marches, the Advent Fair and folk, arts and book festivals."
NEED MORE
INFORMATION?
- Phone Susan on 01506 843592 or email us.
2006 Scots Trad Music Awards
Sangschule was delighted to be nominated as one of the four finalists in the 2006 Scots Trad Music Awards “Community Project of the Year” category. (Award for the traditional music project that best serves its community.) Read more about this.
