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The Light Keepers
Due to last minute cancellations there are a couple of spaces free on this – please book your ticket below and then email admin@aliburns.co.uk if you’d like to sign up.
Hey Singers… want to be apart of an extraordinary event? I’m doing this in Edinburgh’s beautiful Greyfriars Kirk on 2nd of January and want to put together a big scratch choir to join my awesome Edinburgh choir, SongTribe.
Last year Karine Polwart and Stephen Deazley did a similar event in St Giles Cathedral on 1st Jan but are not planning on doing it again in 2026. So I’ve stepped into that space albeit with a few changes.
Rehearsals will take place in Edinburgh on 25th Oct and over the weekend of 29th/30th November with the final event on 2nd January at the beautiful and resonant Greyfriars Kirk in the historic heart of Edinburgh. The event will be part performance, part ceremony as we look back over the past year in an uncertain world and reflect on crossing the threshold into 2026. We’ll be joined by the acclaimed Firelight Trio along with celebrant and reader Catherine Wright to create a performance of warmth, sanctuary and togetherness.
How will it work?
I’ll share song files with you and then we’ll get together on 25th October to learn the songs. You’ll carry on practicing at home ready for 29th/30th November when we’ll spend the weekend rehearsing and walking through the whole event with the reader and the Firelight Trio on board as well. Details are still falling into place but teas/coffee and a simple soup and roll lunch will be included in the price on all of the rehearsal days. On 2nd Jan we’ll gather for a run through at Greyfriars Kirk followed by two hour long performances. The times may change but the earliest you’ll have to be there is 12 noon and the latest is 6pm. We may be able to shorten that timing by an hour. I decided to do two performances so that each one can be a little more intimate, rather than filling the whole Kirk with 400 people where sight-lines and accoustics can be difficult.
I’m choosing songs that are very straightforward and easy to learn but I would ask that you practice so you know them all and can confidently sing your part. For my part, I’ll try and be as clear as possible from the outset about the structure of the songs and repeats.
Tickets will be £100, £75 or £35 – choose what you can afford to pay. For now just reserve yourself a place and then Jess who’s on admin will get back to you with details of how to pay. Current SongTribe members – we will send you instructions on how to sign up soon (you don’t need to book a ticket below).
Are you in? There’s more detail to come but that’s the gist of it. Please say yes!