Helensburgh Oratorio Choir to support RNLI at concert

The Helensburgh Oratorio Choir will support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution [RNLI] Helensburgh at their 60th anniversary concert in the Glasgow City Halls on Sunday, February 18.

The charity will set up a stall in the venue and have collection buckets to allow generous guests to donate.

To celebrate the announcement, choir members gathered round the Helensburgh lifeboat at its base in Rhu Marina where its crew turned out in full life saving gear on the lifeboat.

Choir chair Alicia Tindal said: “We are thrilled to support the RNLI in its bicentenary year.

“As we will be performing ‘A Sea Symphony’ by Vaughan Williams, it is a most appropriate association with the charity that rescues sea farers.”

The RNLI is also marking an important anniversary this year with it being their 200th anniversary.

Local operations manager, Howard Morrison, said: "This year marks the RNLI's 200th anniversary and we are delighted that the choir has chosen to support the RNLI and Helensburgh lifeboat station.

“We wish them well and hope that the concert is a great success. The RNLI is a charity which relies on donations to help save lives at sea."

The choir will be joined by the Rosenethe Singers from Dunblane, as well as professional soloists, and the orchestra of Scottish Opera.

More than 150 people will be on stage in what will be the biggest concert for the Oratorio Choir.

Read more: Helensburgh Oratorio Choir prepare for 60th anniversary show

Written by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, ‘A Sea Symphony’ lasts around 70 minutes and is the composer’s longest-ever work.

The composition was influential for early 20th-century symphonic and choral music in Britain.

Those who want tickets will have to act fast as they are selling well.

Priced at £20.16 for adults and £11.20 for under 26s, with accompanied children under 16 going free, tickets are available from www.ticketsglasgow.com.