The B Flats

Rousing community singing, amongst friends, in a spectacular setting gazing upon beautiful Loch Lomond, while raising funds for good causes……that’s Gartocharn’s long-established local choir, the B Flats.

On Thursday evenings between September and May, some 40 folk gather in the village’s Kilmaronock Millennium Hall to learn and sing a wide range of music under the leadership of their inspiring young conductor, Cairi Edwards and the musicianship of their new accompanist, Sheila Rae.

They’ll tackle any type of music, from such famous musicals as Les Mis – remember ‘Bring Him Home’ .…? – to classical compositions (John Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing is a favourite) to the old standards that we can all summon from memory – ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ always raises the roof.

Each December and May, B Flats puts on two back-to-back concerts on successive nights in the Kilmaronock Millennium Hall to give its singers a chance to perform in front of friends and family, while raising funds for charities nominated each year by its members. These sell-out events attract audiences of 100 and more each night:  so far this energetic choir has raised over £50,000 in its near-30-year existence.

Although as with all choirs there’s formality and focus  required amongst the members once we get singing, B Flats maintains a welcoming informality and friendship as its core ethos. After the normal warmup and around  75-80 minutes of learning and progressing different songs, the choir then gets down to the serious business of tackling the ‘comestibles’ as it insists on calling the post-singing tradition of consuming homemade sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee, before heading home.

Although its core membership lives in and around Gartocharn, choir members hail from most parts of the National Park from Drymen to Helensburgh. Once folk join, they usually stay, appreciating what a special, positive, friendly community choir they have found.   

The B Flats is formed of the typical four sections of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.  Membership is open to all living within the Loch Lomond National Park, and the only requirement is to have a genuine interest in singing.  

There’s no audition for new members, although the ability to read music to a basic level is helpful. Almost as important as making a reasonable noise is the ability to make good ‘comestibles’ when it’s your turn!  And whether you think you can sing or not, the B Flats will help you settle down and gain confidence.

The choir is all-volunteer run. A small committee under the chairmanship of our rumbling bass Alan Crawford organises its operations and the concerts. Annual membership costs just £70.

To find out more about the B Flats, please contact choir secretary Katharine Street, on 07703-174 269, or email.  

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