10/26/2026
Calgary Burns Club Singers
Wednesday October 28, 2026
(doors open at 11:30 am)
ProArts is non-profit. Donations at the door are appreciated.
Calgary is said to be among the most Scottish of cities in Western Canada. A certain Scotsman, Col. James Macleod, named it after Calgary on the Isle of Mull, because the intersection of the Bow and Elbow rivers reminded him of his native land! ~Damon Johnston, Artistic Director
The program content was chosen to present a selection of Scottish songs including our salute to Robert Burns and the well-known Loch Lomond, a bit of humour with the Battle Hymn of Aging, and our Canadian content with the Banks of Newfoundland. And with Remembrance day just around the corner, we include Our Comrades Who Answer the Call where we honour our military and remind us all of the ongoing threats to our peaceful way of life.
The Singers, who are all members of the Calgary Burns Club, started in 1994 to provide entertainment to Club members at their regular meetings. The initial focus was to sing the songs of Robert Burns and other traditional songs of Scotland, and while that focus remains, the singers also now sing a variety of other types of song which will entertain our listeners. In addition to our Club functions, the singers also provide entertainment at seniors’ residences, health care facilities, and other varied functions and venues in Calgary and the surrounding area. The highlight of the group was participation in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2009, the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. To date, the group has put out 7 CD’s, details of which are available on the Calgary Burns Club website, and every Saturday morning, practice sessions are held at the Kensington Legion. The group also had a very successful trip to Scotland in 2022 where our participation in the Kirkcudbright Tattoo and six other concert venues in Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries was very warmly received. And in January 2025 we had a very successful concert at Arts on 817 in Strathmore. After this venue, we again take part in the Field of Crosses sunrise ceremony on November 1st. We sing to backing music which is played and recorded by our musician and singer Henry Cairney.
This concert is the eighth in a series of many Choral Concerts during 2026 that is generously sponsored by Gene and Elizabeth Maurice.
