An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 42, October 1946--September 1947

76
AN GAIDHEAL.
Am Mart, 1947.
“AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACK
Successful Seeies of Gaelic Conoeets
“ When the Lewis Pipe Band, a brave show in their kilts
of ‘ rioghail ’ tartan, skirled their first tune at the beginning
of An Comunn Gaidhealach’s concert in the Town Hall on
Thursday night last week, the audience leaned back anticipating
a grand programme, and they were not disappointed, for,
from pipe to clarsach, from solo to quartette, from humorous
sgeulachdan to serious speech, the concert had something to
please every taste.
“ The concert was one of a series being held throughout
the Highlands to raise funds for An Comunn’s Central Fund,
and with a view to regaining some of the ground which, as
could only be expected, An Comunn lost during the war.
Both these objects were fulfilled in Stornoway where the
concerts were a success, especially on Friday, when the pro¬
gramme had the additional attraction of the Laxdale Junior
Choir, although it lacked the enjoyable singing of Peigi Mairi
Matheson, Back, and the lively violin playing of Norman
Maclean, Guershader.
“ The backbone of the concerts was, however, the artistes
who braved both the Minch and the Kyle ‘ Express ’ in a
good cause. Well-known and popular wherever Gaelic songs
are sung, they were, Petrine M. Stewart, Mod Gold Medallist;
Ina MacLellan, First Prize Winner, Aberdeen Mod, 1946;
Angus Whyte, Mod Gold Medallist, and Alasdair Matheson,
an old favourite with Lewis audiences.
“ Mr. John Morrison, who was chairman on Thursay night,
spoke of the interest taken in Gaelic as a language, because
of its richness in music and song. Many people, he said, came
to listen to Gaelic concerts again and again, although they did
not understand the language, so that they could enjoy the
cadence of the lilting music and the flowing beauty of the
words. It was up to them all to see rha- that interest was kept
alive and they should be grateful to An Comunn Gaidhealach
for the part they were playing in doing so.
“ Spicing his talk with sgeulachdan of professed veracity
and enthusiastic reception, and told in his own inimitable way,
Mr. Donald MacPhail, Northern Organiser, said that in addition
to helping the finances of An Comunn, these concerts were
very helpful from a propaganda point of view. He added that
he had been informed that it was hoped to hold a one-day
Mod in Lewis during the course of this season, and he appealed
to all present to support this proposal to the utmost of their
ability. Without their whole-hearted support, the project
could probably not be carried out. He would also, he said,
be delighted to see choirs and individual competitors at the
National Mod to be held at Perth in September, and he could
assure them that competitors from the Island would be very
warmly welcomed. Mr. MacPhail also outlined the arrange¬
ments for this year’s summer camp of Comunn na h-Oigridh
to be held at Inverailort, 18 miles from Mallaig. The camp
opens on 10th July and closes on 4th August. He hoped
that there would be a contingent of boys and girls from Lewis
at the camp.
“ In addition to the artistes already mentioned, the pro¬
gramme was sustained by Mrs. Macleod, Sandwick; Miss
Barry K. Milner, whose clarsach interpretations, especially
when accompanied by the violin, were delightful; and a
Stornoway quartette with Misses Nan Maclean and Mary
Bell Lamond, and Messrs. Angus Macleod and M. Macaulay.
“ A comprehensive vote of thanks to the artistes, the local
branch of An Comunn, and all those who assisted in making
the evening a success, was moved by Mr. MacPhail, who also
moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. John Morrison.
“ Mr. Murdo Macleod, Shawbost, presided on Friday night
over an audience which completely filled the Town Hall. In
the course of his address he outlined the activities of An
Comunn in the war effort and stressed the necessity of putting
An Comunn on a sound financial footing for its peace-time
purposes.
“ The concert programme was again of a very high standard
and the audience showed their appreciation in no uncertain
manner. Mr Christopher Munro, Miss Jean MacKenzie, and
the Laxdale Junior Choir under the direction of Mr. John
Macdonald, and two pipers from the Lewis Pipe Band were the
new Artistes.
“ As on the previous night, Mr. Donald MacPhail, Northern
Orraniser said a few words. He thanked the Lewis Branch for
the excellent arrangements, and especially Mr. Urquhart
who had been indefatigable in his efforts to make the concerts
the success they had undoubtedly been. He also thanked the
chairman very cordially.
“ In moving a vote of thanks to all who had provided such
an excellent concert, the chairman specially congratulated the
Laxdale Junior Choir on their beautiful voices and true inter¬
pretation of Gaelic songs.
“ Oidhche Mhath Leibh and Laoidh na Rioghachd brought
to a close two of the best all-Gaelic concerts held in Stornoway
for a long time.”
Tarbert, Harris.—The week end was spent in Storno¬
way, and on Monday evening Mr. Norman Robertson, C.C.,
took the Chair at Tarbert and gave a stirring address on An
Comunn and its work, stressing the need for financial assistance
in order to place An Comunn on a sound financial footing. He
then intimated that the Northern Organiser, Mr. MacPhail,
would introduce the various pieces with explanatory notes.
There was general regret when it was intimated that Angus
Whyte was not present. Unfortunately he had to return to the
Mainland from Stornoway suffering from Laryngitis. Sir
Edward Scott School, however, filled the gap and did it very
well too. The Headmaster was present with two Gaelic Choirs,
three soloists, Donald with his Chanter, and a boy reciter.
This boy, from Luskentyre and one of a family of eleven,
fairly captivated the audience with his dramatic recital of
“ Buntkta ’s Sgadan.” The Chairman said he hoped this
boy would find it possible to compete at Perth Mod where he
would be sure of a real welcome. A local piper put the coping-
stone on a very fine all-Gaelic Concert. Sincere thanks are due
to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, Tarbert Hotel (both life members
of An Comunn), for the use of their piano and for their many
kindnesses to the Party; also to Mr. D. MacDonald,
Postmaster, who made all the arrangements for the Concert.
Leverburgh.—The following night found the Party
at Leverburgh, or as the old people say An t-Ob, with the Hall
packed to the door. The Northern Organiser presided by
request. The Singers were at a disadvantage here as there
was no piano available, but this difficulty was surmounted and
they gave of their best. Local Art;stes included Miss C.
Yorston (songs), and Mr. Angus MacDonald (pipes and
accordian).
Sandwick.—The Party returned to Tarbert after the
Concert, and the following morning across the snow-covered
Clisham to Sandwick, where the local Headmaster, Mr. Donald
Matheson, presided over a fair attendance. This Concert,
the last of the series, was very successful, and well-known
local singers assisted with the Concert programme. Sincere
thanks are due to Mr. Matheson who made all the arrangements,
and to all the good ladies who supplied a sumptuous repast.
A Successful Tour.—Warm thanks are also due to
Mr. D. MacMillan, Shadar, for many good deeds while the Party
were in Lewis. Himself at one time a Comunn na h-Oigridh
boy in Aird School, he has not forgotten his promise—“ Bidh
mise ’na mo dheagh Ghaidheal cho fad’s is be6 mi." Is math
a chum thu ris na boidean a thug thu seachad, ged is iomadh
ceann a chaidh an currac is iomadh mullach a chaidh am
falach bho’n uair sin, a bhalaich. Gach buaidh is piseach ort!
From this tour the sum of £118 4s 7d has been sent to the
Central Fund, but of greater value to the Cause is the new
interest created through these all-Gaelic gatherings held in
Gaelic-speaking areas.
The Official Party.—A word about the official
Party. Petrine Stewart has never been heard to better advan¬
tage in songs, grave and gay. Her rendering of “ Fo Mhulad,”
with its old Perthshire air, was very fine and deeply appreciated
by the people of the West. “ Mo Bhalachan Ban ” captivated
the hearts of all, and women could be heard humming the tune
after the Concerts. Ina MacLellan sang throughout with fine
feeling, and her choice of Island songs was much appreciated.
Angus Whyte had the misfortune to contract Laryngitis, but
in the Puirt-a-beul with Alasdair he showed lovely rhythm
and, despite the warnings of the Chairman, not a foot was
still until the part was finished. Of Alasdair it can truly be