Famous Glasgow choir to visit Campbeltown to celebrate local conductor’s 40 years in charge

The well-known Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association is planning to hold a concert in Campbeltown Parish Church on Saturday October 28 as part of the celebration of its conductor’s 40 years at the helm.

 

Campbeltown-born Kenneth Thomson BEM has been conducting the choir with considerable success since 1983.

 

Kenneth, son of Hugh and Betty Thomson, was born in Craigard Maternity Hospital in 1949 amd attended Dalintober Primary School and Campbeltown Grammar before going to Keil School, Dumbarton.

 

He worked in the NHS as a manager, latterly as chief executive of Yorkhill NHS Trust. He joined the choir in 1968 as a singing member, intending only to go to one Royal National Mòd, but continued and took over as conductor in 1983. He won the Mòd Gold Medal in 1979.

 

Under Kenneth’s leadership, the choir has won the prestigious Lovat and Tulibardine Trophy on six occasions and they will be competing at the Mòd in Paisley just a week before making the trip to the Wee Toon.

 

Joining the choir to perform will be the local Kintyre Chorale, under the baton of Mhàiri Renton, and a number of soloists, including Mòd gold medallists.

 

Kenneth published a memoir of his time in the choir, entitled The GG and Me, in 2021 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Gaelic choral music.

 

All proceeds from the Campbeltown concert will go to the Beatson.

 

"attachment_1031899" "" "300"] Kenneth Thomson, right, at his BEM ceremony with his son Fergus and Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren.

 

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Kenneth Thomson, right, at his BEM ceremony with his son Fergus and Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren. NO_C39glasgowgaelicchoir01_23_kenneth-thomson

 

The Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association choir in action at a recent concert. NO_C39glasgowgaelicchoir02_23_concert