Choirs from Aberdeen and Northern Ireland sang together at a special performance in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
The University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir and the Ulster Choir were reunited for the performance, which was the first time the Ulster Choir performed outside their home country.
The groups performed together in June last year at Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, as part of the Derry~Londonderry City of Culture celebrations.
They came together again in Edinburgh to perform a selection of traditional songs from both sides of the Irish Sea, to celebrate the shared Celtic histories of both nations.
The set was arranged by Laurence Roma, an accomplished composer from the University of Ulster, and royal composer Professor Paul Mealor of the University of Aberdeen.
Prof Mealor’s works include Ubi Caritas, which was performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and 2011 Christmas number 1 Wherever You Will Go which was performed by the Military Wives.
He said: “Writing new arrangements for traditional folk music is something quite different for me and this is the first time they will be performed in front of an audience.
“It will be a great privilege to hear two wonderful university choirs performing songs from both sides of the Irish Sea in unison.
“We had a fabulous time in Northern Ireland and now it’s our turn to show them some Scottish hospitality and to extend the hand of friendship, peace and reconciliation through music.”
The choirs will now come to Aberdeen to sing at St Machar’s Cathedral tonight at 7pm.
Chamber choir member David Paterson, a fourth year law student, said: “We were fortunate enough to secure a prestigious performance in the Scottish Parliament and then we have our home concert in the beautiful St Machar’s Catherdral to close our weekend of music-making.
“Members of both choirs are looking forward to successful performances, seeing old friends, and establishing new friendships which are sure to last for years!”