Resources and information on Robert Burns and on Irvine, grouped under the five menus below

 


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Irvine Burns Club Master Class series - view them here!

The Songs ...... The Music ...... The Poetry ....... The Guid Scots Tongue

In spring 1996, Irvine Burns Club invited four leading exponents of their craft to present Master Classes at 'Wellwood' to mark the bicentenary of the Bard's death.
Recorded on VHS tape (by Jim Willetts, of Seamill), and converted for DVDs in 2008 (by Club member John Matthews), they were converted for YouTube in 2016 (by the Club webmaster) for all to access. If you enjoy them, tell us on Facebook.

 

'The Songs of Robert Burns'

Bill McCue, OBE, (1934-1999), for many years a regular with Scottish Opera, never missing a production, and famous as Scotland's Fiddler on the Roof, was also a favourite with Irvine audiences. An OBE, he was awarded an Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music, he was still involved in the training of students at RSAMD, and was an honorary member of the Saltire Society. In this Master Class, he worked with six local singers, demonstrating a range of songs by Burns.
Watch on YouTube

 

'The Music of Burns'

John Mason, MBE, well-known through the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, was founder of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, and received an MBE for his contribution to Scottish music for charitable purposes. Orcadian by birth, he was a solicitor in Troon, but travelled all over the world playing, composing and arranging fiddle music. His Class took the form of a talk on the history of fiddle music in relation to Burns, followed by a demonstration. John (1940-2011) was also an Honorary Member of Irvine Burns Club.
Watch on YouTube

 

'The Poetry of Robert Burns'

Sam K Gaw, a Past President of Irvine Burns Club and a Past President of the Robert Burns Federation, Sam became internationally known as an expert on the poet's life and works, giving spirited renditions at events and on television. Sam is also an Honorary Member of Irvine Burns Club.
Watch on YouTube

 

'The Guid Scots Tongue the Day'

Dr George Philp (1931-2012) had a passionate interest in ensuring that Scots language, literature, music and song became more widely known and available to everyone. Over 25 years, he, with others, founded the Scots Language Society, the cassette series 'Scotsoun', and The Robert Henryson Society. In 1995 he was awarded The Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award for his services to Scotland. Sharing the Master Class evening with him was Mrs Frances Hendrie, who taught Scots to her primary pupils at Lennoxtown.
Watch on YouTube

 

 

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