I first met Paul Mealor when he joined the music staff at Aberdeen University where I taught, and we became good friends. I invited him to be guest speaker at one of our Probus meetings in the Kintore Arms Hotel, and that

was a very memorable event. His choir gave a concert at St. Andrew’s University and Prince William and Catherine were in the audience. He was then asked to compose music for their wedding in 2011 and he composed his motet ‘Ubi Caritas et Amor’. Also in 2011 he composed a song, ‘Wherever You Are’, which became the Christmas number one in the UK singles chart.

More recently, (Ascension Day, 8 September 2024) he was again composing for royalty, this time King Charles and Queen Camilla, who are staying at Balmoral and attending Crathie Kirk. He composed and performed ‘A Scottish Prayer’. The words are largely based on a speech made by King Charles after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and the King found that very moving. The piece was for a four-part choir and tenor soloist. Paul could obviously choose any soloist from the whole world. He chose one he knew well, and who already had an established international reputation, having performed to give one example, with Zurich Opera House for many years. He actually comes from Barclay Road, Inverurie, so will probably be known to many of you – he is Iain Milne. After the concert, Paul was in conversation with Rosie (Iain’s mother) and he gave permission for the piece to be performed at St. Andrew’s Church with Iain as soloist. I felt this was the most exciting news I had heard in a very long time, and I wanted to share it locally as widely as possible. I feel the best way to do this is invite members of our congregation, members of other choirs as well as any other interested musicians to sing with the choir for this unique occasion, offering the opportunity to sing the music of Paul Mealor. The performance would be on Sunday 24 November during the normal 10 am service. I would provide copies of the music, and I would obviously arrange some rehearsals prior to the performance. The vocal parts are really very simple, (I was genuinely very surprised), but they are very effective, sometimes simply humming behind Iain’s solo melody line. The melody is decidedly Scottish. The piece is 50 bars long and lasts approximately 3 minutes. I would be absolutely delighted if you could join us for this once-in-a-lifetime performance and opportunity. I am sure you would really enjoy it. It is a rare chance for Inverurie choirs and musicians to join forces.

Ian

CONTACT: If you would like to take part, please text or phone me on 07429 904180. Thank you.