Shout out for Oban's world-first Gaelic Makaton choir
Parliament has sung the praises of Oban’s world-first Gaelic Makaton choir.
Signing choir Aon Ghuth, which translates as One Voice, got mentioned in a congratulatory motion put forward by Argyll MP Brendan O’Hara last month.
Aon Ghuth, who use signs and symbols from a system called Makaton that helps people with learning or communication difficulties, impressed the MP after making their debut performance on the opening night of this year’s Royal National Mòd at the Corran Halls.
Mr O’Hara asked the House of Parliament as part of an Early Days Motion to acknowledge the hugely important important role played by all those who helped organise and get the choir, made up of a majority of people with additional support needs, ready for show night.
Oban’s Arlene McLeod and Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s Katy Lironi, choir leader Morven Gage, musical accompanist Sileas Sinclair, as well as Ciaran Bateman and staff at Oban High School’s Support Department got a name check.
The motion also put on record: "Aon Ghuth gives people with additional support needs a unique opportunity to display the power and importance of inclusion as well as making the Gaelic language and culture more accessible for people of all ages and abilities."
Mr O’Hara was in Oban on Saturday to catch up with the choir during rehearsals for their next appearances - including at St John’s Cathedral on Monday December 9 at 7pm as part of Oban Gaelic Choir’s Festive Choirs & Candles event, and also at an evening concert at the Parish Church, Glencruitten, on Saturday December 14.
The MP said: “What an honour and a privilege it was for me to spend some time with Aon Ghuth as they rehearsed for their Christmas performances. They really are an inspiration and wonderful example of how a choir can bring out the best in every individual.
"Everyone involved with Aon Ghuth is deserving of our deepest gratitude for giving people with additional support needs the opportunity to display their talent, while allowing them to enjoy and take part in the Gaelic language and culture.
"Although I couldn’t attend their debut performance at the Corran Halls during the Mòd, I did put down an Early Day Motion in parliament celebrating their achievement, and I said to Morven and Arlene that I’d love to come and meet with the members of the choir at one of the next rehearsals.
"Now that I am the proud owner of a Aon Ghuth tee shirt, and am almost proficient singing Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas in Gaelic, while using the Makaton sign language, I would be honoured if the choir were to consider me as an honorary member of Aon Ghuth”.
Aon Ghuth also took to the stage at Taynuilt Ceilidh at the weekend, re-performing their Mòd medley and a rendition of Jingle Bells.
Arlene said: "We had a wonderful time and it was great that the audience joined in. We’ve had lovely comments and feedback."
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