| about us
artistic concert experiences is a friendly group of non-professional singers of all ages who enjoy singing. Our repertoire of songs has developed to include easy listening, old familiar classics and pop hits, alongside songs from musical theatre.
The organisation was set up in 1999 by friends who, with a lifetime of experience in the amateur theatre behind them, wanted to branch out in a new direction. ace is run by the two Directors, Richard Johnston and Rona McKenzie.
Tapping into the growing interest in the big shows brought to the Edinburgh Playhouse by touring companies, they set about establishing a large chorus that could sing the well known songs in concert performances. Having done that, ace was then able to provide a high-profile showcase for the wealth of singing talent that exists throughout the country, by staging live concerts with a large chorus, in big venues, to capacity audiences.
The vital ingredient in the validity and success of these performances was the presence of a professional 40-piece orchestra playing the original orchestrations, thereby re-creating the authentic sounds heard in the theatre and on recordings. It has proved to be a successful formula, with up to 150 singers on stage each year.
Membership
There are of course, week by week expenses, and, like so many other clubs and organisations, we have to meet these costs. We regard our weekly rehearsals as being similar to an evening class, and so, we have an evening class related fee of just under £4 per week.
To ensure that everyone is registered before the first rehearsal, the full fee of £65 (£35 for students) can be paid by cheque or postal order at time of registration, or over three months by standing order.
ace stages an annual concert in the Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow in November. Rehearsals are held in Glasgow or Edinburgh, for 12 weeks prior to the concert.
Glasgow - Partick Burgh Hall, Burgh Hall Street, Partick on Tuesdays, 7.30pm - 10.00pm.
Edinburgh - Fairmilehead Parish Church, 1A Frogston Road West, Edinburgh on Wednesdays, 7.30pm - 10.00 pm.
Four joint rehearsals are held nearer the date of the concert, two in Glasgow, one in Edinburgh and one in Falkirk.
ace is a is a non profit-making company and supports a nominated charity each year.
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