An introduction to Gaelic choir leading for 6 song leaders • Scotland Sings

This event is now full.

If you’d like to join a waiting list in case someone drops out, please fill in the form below.

Event: Ceòl is Càirdeas (Music and Friendship)
Date: Saturday 27th June 2026
Venue: Rockfield Arts Centre, Rockfield Brae, Oban, PA34 5DQ
How to sign up: Fill in the form below by Thursday 21st May. We will allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who can apply?
Experienced choir and singing group leaders who are new to Gaelic choral singing and are members of the Scotland Sings network. This event is about leading Gaelic Choir repertoire which is notated in the published books. It is recommended that leaders are confident in reading notation. The event will be quite fast paced, and is suitable for experienced choir leaders with at least 3 years’ leading experience.

If you are an experienced Gaelic Choir leader or singer and are interested in attending this event, get in touch with obangaelicchoir@hotmail.com for sign up information.

Event information
Ceòl is Càirdeas (Music and Friendship) is a Gaelic choral singing day hosted by the Oban Gaelic Choir and their leader Sìleas Sinclair, and Mary Ann Kennedy of Lochaber Gaelic Choir. Known as ‘The Red Book Sessions’ these events bring together Gaelic choir leaders and singers to practise core Gaelic choral repertoire from the Red Ceòl nan Coisir book.

In partnership with this event, Scotland Sings is funding a special ‘Capsule’ event for 6 experienced choir leaders who are new to Gaelic choral singing. Alongside the main event, participants will receive two hours of specialist guidance, including an introduction to Gaelic choir repertoire, a deep dive in to the mechanics of the language and how it works set to music, and at least two Gaelic choir songs to take back to their own choirs with confidence. Gaelic choir specialists Sìleas Sinclair and Mary Ann Kennedy will lead sessions during the day with the Capsule group. Scotland Sings can provide access bursaries where needed.

PLEASE NOTE: The Capsule event will go ahead only if all 6 places are filled. We will let all applicants know by email on Friday 22nd May.

Schedule
10.30 Arrival – tea/coffee
11.00 – 13.00 Singing (including Capsule AM session)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch (bring own)
14.00 – 16.30 Singing (including Capsule PM session)
16.30 – 17.00 Massed Sing
17.00 – 19.30 Buffet Dinner followed by Cèilidh

Food
Bring your own lunch – there are plenty of supermarkets and shops near Oban centre. A Buffet Dinner is provided at the end of the day.

Accommodation
Please let us know whether you need accommodation on sign up. There may be some private hosted spaces available locally in Oban or nearby.

Cost
£15 per person which includes the buffet dinner.

Bursaries
If you need financial help and/or access support to attend this event, please let us know as much detail as you can on the booking form below. We will be in touch to clarify your expenses.

This event is now full.

If you’d like to join a waiting list in case someone drops out, please fill in the form below.

Contact details

Name(Required)

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Email address(Required)

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Phone - this is so we can contact you to discuss any details(Required)

Would you like accommodation with a local host in Oban or nearby if it is available?(Required)

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No, I'll book my own accommodation if needed

Please tell us about any access requirements and support required for attending this event (bursary options are at the end of the form)

Tell us the name of the choir/s or singing group/s that you lead

Do you have any experience leading Gaelic choirs?

Do you have any experience singing in Gaelic choirs?

Why do you want to attend this event?

Environmental Reporting

As part of funding requirements for Creative Scotland, we are required to report on the travel emissions of participants attending our events in person. We will report method of travel and mileage in a total figure which incorporates all participants - your personal details won't be shared. If you'll travel by multiple methods, please choose which will be used for the longest part of your journey. If you prefer not to share the postcode, please enter the approximate miles from there to the venue.

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Financial Assistance

This project is funded by Creative Scotland and we have a budget to help with access costs. Please indicate if you require financial assistance to attend. It is likely that for the majority of people we will suggest a maximum amount we can support you up to and then reimburse your expenses following the event. If you would need funds in advance, please let us know.

Let us know if you need financial help with travel, accommodation or other costs to enable your attendance.(Required)

I don't need a bursary

Travel bursary

Accommodation bursary

Registration fee bursary (£15)

Other - please tell us below

Please estimate your travel costs and tell us how you have worked these out. We can help you plan your travel if that would be helpful, just let us know.

How much would you need for accommodation and where would you stay? If you would like us to book accommodation for you, please tell us here.

Other type of bursary: please tell us how we can help.

Any questions? Please ask us here and we'll get back to you.