Linda Gourlay

I joined IMARI as a temporary Musical Director in May 2006 after the previous director resigned. Although the chorus Committee tried very hard to find a permanent replacement they were unsuccessful; this did not displease me, as by September 2006 I was enjoying myself so much that I offered to stay.

My musical training is somewhat basic: piano grade 8, music GCE (remember those?) at A-level and a brief acquaintance with the clarinet and alto saxophone whilst at school. I sang in the school choir and for one performance we were able to sing with the Huddersfield Choral Society under the direction of David (now Sir) Willcocks. What an inspiration he was; his smile never wavered, no matter how we sang, and he never, ever, ever made a disparaging remark.

I spent my working life as a Civil Servant but in my spare time I continued to sing in local choirs: Leeds Philharmonic, Leicester Philharmonic, Derby Choral Union, the West Hallam and District Choral Society (under the direction of the late Lionel Fryer – a very gifted musician and arranger). Most recently I have been singing with the Lace City Singers -- a female barbershop chorus – gaining (in 2004) a Gold Medal in the Sweet Adelines' UK Regional competition. For a time I directed the Amber Valley Ladies Barbershop Harmony Chorus, giving several performances around Derbyshire and culminating in our Christmas show at Bakewell.

What will the future bring? It is my aim to continue to expand IMARI’s repertoire; to introduce songs from differing eras and genres. That way, we should have something to please even the hardest audience!