Applications to join the Festival Chorus are now open!
The Cumnock Tryst Festival Chorus was founded by composer James MacMillan and has had a central role to play in every Cumnock Tryst Festival since it began in 2014. But it’s a bit different from other choruses!
Members come from all over Scotland (and beyond) and work together over a few weeks each autumn to prepare for their concerts at The Cumnock Tryst. Sometimes they have new music written especially for them, often by James MacMillan himself and they have the opportunity to work with one of the UK’s leading choral directors, Eamonn Dougan, ably assisted by the Tryst’s Festival Chorusmaster, Andrew McTaggart but all under the beady eyes and ears of Sir James himself! It is a chorus full of enthusiasm for performing at the highest level.
In 2025, the Festival Chorus are once again central to the Festival performing on Saturday 4 October 2025. The chorus will be performing James MacMillan's Benedicimus Deum caeli and Taylor Scott Davis' Magnificat.
Schedule
Rehearsals:
Saturday 7 June: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530 [A first look…]
Saturday 30 August: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530 [Sectional Morning]
Saturday 6 September: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530
Saturday 13 September: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530 [with Eamonn]
Saturday 20 September: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530
Saturday 27 September: Boswell Centre, 1030-1530 [with Eamonn]
Festival Week:
Wednesday 1 October: Barony Hall, 1900-2100 [Orchestral Rehearsal]
Saturday 4 October: Barony Hall, 1400-1700 [Dress Rehearsal]
Saturday 4 October: Barony Hall, 1930 [Performance]
We ask that members contribute £35 to participate in our Chorus. This would be collected at the first rehearsal.
If you have any questions about being involved in the Chorus please contact: rufus@thecumnocktryst.com
