An Argyll Mod winner is leading Scotland’s 2019 entry in the Eurovision Choir contest in Sweden.
Musician and television presenter Joy Dunlop from will lead Scotland’s forty-strong choir Alba in Sweden, in front of an audience of millions as they compete in this year’s Eurovision Choir 2019 competition.
The choir, featuring singers from across Scotland, will compete against nine of Europe’s best amateur choirs while trying to impress a panel of international choral music stars by performing an unaccompanied selection of music in a variety of styles.
Miss Dunlop said performing on a European stage will be a true dream come true.
She said: “As a lifelong fan of Eurovision, I’m absolutely thrilled to lead a choir for such a prestigious singing competition.
“I’ve always had the secret dream of performing on a Eurovision stage and this is a real honour. Bringing a Gaelic Choir to Gothenburg this year is a big step.
“This competition provides the opportunity to introduce viewers from across Europe to our Gaelic language and heritage. I can’t wait to represent Scotland in a competition of this magnitude in our native tongue.
“This is a priceless opportunity and one that myself and the choir are whole heartedly embracing.”
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Miss Dunlop, who was raised in Connel in Argyll, is an award-winning Gaelic singer.
The singer and broadcaster has gone onto win a string of accolades for her musical capabilities including the Royal National Mòd Gold Medal.
As the group prepare for the biggest event of their lives, BBC Alba are preparing a 30 minute documentary which will chart the progress of the choir leading up to a live performance on August 3.
Channel editor Margaret Cameron added: “We’re proud a Gaelic choir will take to the stage for Eurovision Choir 2019 and that audiences Europe-wide will get a real flavour of Gaelic song at the highest level.
“We’re excited to see Alba take on choirs from all over Europe and to bring a new experience to the BBC ALBA audience with a great look inside the trials and tribulations, and joys, of mounting an entry to the competition from scratch.”