On Sunday 14 May 2006, the Scottish Opera Orchestra joins the finest choral singers from all over Scotland to present a tribute to Scottish chorusmaster and conductor John Currie, whose work was described as ‘masterly’ by the Los Angeles Times.  Appropriately for the Perthshire based artist, this unique event will be staged in Perth Concert Hall and promises a glorious choral sound.

The idea for the tribute came from choral singers from throughout Scotland, and is presented as a celebration of John’s unique and life-long contribution to Scottish choirs and choral music.

“This concert is a tribute initiated by a number of choristers whose singing careers were enriched by his leadership and who wished another opportunity to sing under his inspiring baton,” said Raymond Williamson, who has worked with John over a number of years as Chair of the RSNO, Vice Chair of the RSAMD, Chair of the National Youth Choir of Scotland and Chair of the John Currie Singers.

The evening’s programme features Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Mozart’s popular Laudate Dominum for solo soprano, chorus and orchestra, and Haydn’s exhilarating Te Deum, to the Third Mass of Bruckner, held by many to be the finest Romantic setting. The conductor for the evening will be John Currie. Distinguished soloists include Wilma MacDougall and Patricia McMahon (sopranos), Colette Ruddy (mezzo soprano), Campbell Russell (tenor) and George Gordon (baritone).

John graduated from Glasgow’s Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1955 and from Glasgow University in 1959. He has since been conductor, composer and chorusmaster, lecturer and Scotsman critic.

He held every significant professional choral appointment in his native Scotland. He was Chorusmaster of the SNO Chorus (now the RSNO Chorus) for 18 years and led them to many triumphs here and abroad. He spent 10 years as Chorusmaster of the celebrated Edinburgh International Festival Chorus, and 10 years as Chorus Director and Musical Associate at Scottish Opera. He has conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He has stage directed, conducted and performed operas, singing with Dame Janet Baker in the title roles Dido and Aeneas. He has conducted many world premieres in recent years.

John’s work is equally well known internationally and he held a distinguished five-year appointment as Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Sinfonia, where his final concert was described as “masterly” by the Los Angeles Times. As a conductor he has led orchestras in Israel, Italy, Germany and Belgium. As chorusmater he developed his reputation working with conductors Giulini, Mehta, Abbado, Muti, Barenboim and Solti, with orchestras ranging from the Israel Philharmonic to the Chicago Symphony.

He founded the John Currie Singers and Orchestra, a unique ensemble which performed to acclaim for 35 years in concerts specially noted for premieres of new Scottish works and the performance of major baroque and classical works.

John conducted major choral concerts for Perth Festival of the Arts. He also conducted and directed 9 opera productions for the PFA that were specifically designed for Perth Theatre, and a performance of Britten’s 3 Church Parables in St.John’s Kirk.

John’s experience and expertise saw him serve on the Scottish Arts Council and its Music Committee for a number of years. He was also a member of the board of Perth Theatre, which developed into Horsecross, the organisation that manages the theatre and the new Perth Concert Hall.

A Tribute to John Currie, Sunday 14 May at 8pm. Tickets £15: £10. Box office 0845 612 6319. Online bookings available www.horsecross.co.uk