A Makaton choir created for nonverbal individuals and their champions, stole the show at a star-studded event during the Royal National Mod in Oban last night.
The atmosphere was electric at Corran Halls, with emotions running high on the second day of Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival, which spans an impressive nine days.
During the captivating concert, singers of all ages, using Makaton, took to the stage and delivered a performance that left no eye dry in the audience.
Makaton – a gesture-based communication system – is designed to support those with learning or communication challenges, making the choir’s achievement even more inspiring.
The Makaton Gaelic Choir signed some of the most beloved choruses in Gaelic to a packed audience, bringing the day to a fitting close.
Mod’s Makaton Gaelic choir are ‘inspiring’
The choir, set up to perform at the Mod, is conducted by Morven Gage, who is the head of the music department at Oban High School.
She became involved after mum-of-two Arlene McLeod said she was looking for a place for her son Finn, nine, to perform at the event.
Arlene said: “My oldest daughter is 13 and a fluent Gaelic learner. Finn who has Down Syndrome and autism uses Makaton to aid his communication.
“Earlier in the year Laura Macdonald, who works for Argyll and Bute Council, asked if there were any ideas to make the Royal National Mod more inclusive.
“A group of parents came together with Morven and her colleague Ciaran Bateman, and the idea for the Makaton Gaelic Choir was formed.”
With the help of Duncan MacNeil, Argyll and Bute Council’s Gaelic officer, and Katie Lironi from the Downs Syndrome Society the choir was ready to take to the stage.
The choir has members from all over Scotland, including Inverness and Cumbernauld, who join remotely by “zooming” into regular rehearsals.
Arlene continued: “We found the most perfect person in Morven Gage to lead the choir. She makes it work in so many ways and brings together her knowledge of music and Gaelic to inspire the choir.
“She knows the songs we should be singing and she is so positive and patient.”
Mrs Gage, who started pulling choir members together in April, said: “It is very special to be involved in this choir. We are proud of everyone who is taking part.
“We are singing well-known Gaelic choruses including Bhirlinn Goraidh Chrobhain and Teann a-Nall. Songs people know and love, and until now people were unable to take part even if they were non-verbal.
“It really is a very special moment, to be performing in Oban, and opening Gaelic and the Gaelic community up to many more people.
“We are Aon Ghuth.”
Royal National Mod in Oban off to ‘mesmerising’ start
Headlining the almost sold-out event on Saturday was renowned fiddle player Hannah Fisher, originally from Dunkeld, and much-sought-after guitarist Soren MacLean from Mull – who both live at Kintra on the island.
The duo made up the house band with musician, conductor and composer Sileas Sinclair, from Oban, who masterminded the evening.
Mulleach Alasdair Whyte, from Salen played a mesmerising set.
Alasdair performs as a soloist and has sung with many bands such as Skippinish and his band Whyte.
Oban locals Joanie and Michael Garven, two world-renowned musicians, and their children played a set of tunes making up the whole band from family members.
Many other talented musicians from across Argyll took part, including those from Oban High School and the Argyll Ceilidh Trail.
Premier piping, accordion and piano competitions at Oban Mod
Earlier in the day piping competitions saw Crieff-born John Dew, 27, who plays with the Inverary and District Pipe Band, win the John T. MacRae Cup for his March, Strathspey and Reel.
Angus MacPhee, 23, from Inshes in Inverness was heralded as the top performer in the Pibroch competition for adults. He won the James R. Johnston Memorial Trophy.
Angus is a piping teacher in schools around the Black Isle.
Jenna Johnstone, 14, from Biggar, took the Margaret Hill-Boyle Memorial
Trophy for piano.
In the audience was Kathleen Dick who won the prize in 1957.
The Gaelic festival got off to a rather wet, but wonderful, start on Friday.
Sporting events that had been programmed for Saturday morning had to be cancelled due to and hail and rain storm that hit the west coast town.
If you want to know more about what is happening this week, we have an all you need to know guide.
A full list of competition winners can be found on the Royal National Mod website.
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