Scotland’s Eurovision Choir received a rapturous response after making their debut in a major competition in Sweden.
The 33-strong Gaelic choir Alba took to the stage in Gothenburg on Saturday to represent Scotland, whilst competing against leading choirs across 10 countries as part of the second annual Eurovision Choir Contest.
The group performed a four-minute arrangement of three Gaelic songs, which had been specially arranged by Sileas Sinclair from Oban, and received a tremendous response from the 3,500-strong audience.
To complete their look, a new signature tartan, Euro Alba, was made into kilts for the male choir members, comprising of a blue tartan, with the addition of deep purples and ruby reds to capture the country’s rich flora and fauna.
Reflecting on the experience, music and television presenter and former Argyll Mod winner Joy Dunlop, who led the choir, described it as a life-long dream come true.
She said: “It was amazing; it was just so much fun. It was everything we could have hoped for and more.
“I am a huge Eurovision fan, I have been since I was a wee girl, and actually to be taking part in Eurovision and representing Scotland and singing in Gaelic was just amazing.
“The level of the singing was phenomenal. We got so much positive feedback from the audience and other choirs. In a way, it didn’t feel like a competition, it was more like a concert. Everyone was very different and you got time to talk to other choirs.
“Everyone was lovely and everything they said was very positive.
She added: “We were all very emotional once we came off the stage, not in a bad way but I think it as just that build-up. People worked really hard, they were really invested and everyone was crying as we came off because it is just that overflow of emotion.
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity that I was given and I am just so thankful that I was allowed to do this and asked to do this.”
Despite failing to make the judges’ top three over Latvia, Denmark and Slovenia, the group remained in high spirits watching Denmark take the title; simply overjoyed at being given the opportunity to perform on such a grand scale.
The group are now looking forward to the possibility of working with their fellow contestants in the future and using their voices to promote Gaelic culture.
Mrs Dunlop praised the group for their efforts saying: “We worked really, really hard, the choir I couldn’t have asked them to do anything more.”