About the Chorus

About Rolling Hills Chorus
About the Chorus

We are a group of more than 50 men, of all ages, united by our love of singing.  We always sing a cappella, in four part harmony, mainly in the barbershop style.  Our mission is to sing well, entertain and have fun.  We also believe in supporting good causes and we have an established Charity partnership with Prostate Scotland for which we raised £1793.39 in 2019.  Although in 2020 we have not been able to meet in person to rehearse, we have held a monthly quiz night on Zoom and have raised a total of £5500 for the following charities: Prostate Scotland; St Columba’s Hospice; Crisis Scotland; North West Edinburgh Food Bank; Alzheimer’s Scotland; Sistema Scotland; British Legion Scotland.

The Chorus was formed in Galashiels in 1992, its name deriving from the rolling hills seen around the Scottish Borders, although in 1995 it moved to Edinburgh, where most of its members lived.  The idea came from Bill Harvey, whose wife was a member of the award winning Forth Valley Chorus.  Bill asked Nick Hayes (whose wife was also in FVC) and some others if they would like to set up a men's chorus.

Maureen Dawson, a retired local music teacher, was the first Musical Director, and under her direction the Chorus gained a reputation for good entertainment and good harmony.  Maureen retired in 2004 and was replaced by Nick Hayes who directed the Chorus until September of 2016 when he retired due to ill health. Sadly Nick died in 2018, but not before he could attend a concert held in his honour to raise money for St Columba’s hospice.  We are all immensely grateful for Nick’s inspiration and for all he did for the Chorus.

Our current Chorus Director is Rosalind Johnson, who has been singing Barbershop for many years and is a member, and Assistant Director of Forth Valley Chorus.  Rosalind loves all things barbershop and a cappella, and has a wonderful ear for harmony singing.

[Read more about Rosalind here]

We are members of The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) and have been taking part in the annual convention contest since 2007.  We compete in alternate years, in 2016 winning the third division, and in 2018 achieving our highest score (66.7%) and UK placing (14th out of 35).  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 convention was cancelled but we are looking forward to competing in 2022.

Since 2013 we have also performed in alternate years at the Edinburgh Fringe.  Our most recent performance was in 2019, "Distilled in Scotland-100% Harmony", which played to packed houses and achieved 5 star reviews.

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The Three Directors - Rosalind, Nick and Maureen, pictured at our 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2017

“sing well, entertain and have fun”
Entertainment
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We sing your favourite songs from film, music theatre, pop and traditional music. Songs of love, of loss, of hope. Songs to make you laugh. We perform a cappella - pure, beautiful harmonies and wonderful entertainment.

 

 

 

 

Barbershop
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Like jazz. Barbershop started in Black America at the turn of the twentieth century. Barbershop is always sung a cappella, or unaccompanied. Four parts sing in close harmony, giving the music a rich, scrunchy sound. Listen out for the seventh chord that creates ringing overtones and the impression of many more than four parts.

Community
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We aim to give something back to the community, by boosting opportunities for male voice harmony singing and also by raising much needed funds for charity. We are proud to partner with Prostate Scotland and Children 1st. When you come along to one of our fundraising concerts, you are helping us make a real difference. Thank-you.