Who's Who?
The Choir is run by a management committee elected annually and chaired by a president. The
Choir on the advice of the committee appoints a conductor, and the committee, on the advice of
the conductor, appoints a pianist for rehearsal and accompaniment.
Patrick Trust - President
Patrick became our President in May 2009. He has recently retired as a doctor in general
practice and has always enjoyed singing.
He was in the choir at primary and secondary schools - mainly singing music to accompany the
chapel services. However, it may have been the choir away day trips every summer which were the
main attraction with the light aircraft flight at Brighton being the remembered highlight. He
sang in '1066 and all That' at school, and at Medical School took part in student performances
of G&S's 'The Mikado' and Offenbach's 'Orpheus in the Underworld' - always in a minor role!
As a young teenager his father had taken him to a couple of Promenade Concerts at the Albert
Hall which made a deep impression. At medical school in London the Proms were easy and cheap to
attend and in the upper balcony (standing room only) Patrick was amazed by the Berlioz 'Grande
Messe des Morts' with choirs and brass bands up in the gods as well. He also heard Benjamin
Britten conduct his 'War Requiem' with Heather Harper and Peter Pears.
Luckily his wife to be Jenny enjoyed singing as well - with the Bloomsbury Singers and they went
to opera and ballet together. It was Jenny who camped out all night at Covent Garden to get the
tickets for the gods.
Patrick enjoys all sorts of music and in 1969 during a year in Jamaica at the University of the
West Indies he was a member of the University choir singing in Jamaica and on tour of the
Windward Islands. He was the only white singer so stood out a bit on the TV appearances, but
what fun it was singing with such a great bunch of Windy students from all the English speaking
Caribbean islands. Now that's what you call rhythm!
When he moved to Glasgow as a married man he and Jenny won stall tickets in the lottery to
attend the opening night of Scottish Opera in the newly refurbished Theatre Royal with Sir
Alexander Gibson conducting. On moving to Cardross in 1978 he and Jenny sung for a few years
with the Dorian Choir when Ronnie Walker was the conductor but family and work commitments put a
stop to this.
Patrick and Jenny rejoined the Dorian in 2005 and have greatly enjoyed the variety of music that
we sing. It has also been challenging at times with some tough pieces to get the voice round
but they have been impressed with the dedication, commitment and sense of fun working with their
fellow singers and conductors.
If you are interested in singing give Patrick a call on 01389841387 and he'll arrange for you to
come to a rehearsal or two so you can see whether you like us and decide if you'd like to join.
Marjory Burns - Conductor
Marjory became our new conductor in August 2008. Singing is her hobby and her passion.
She has a career-time's experience of teaching music and singing having recently retired from
her post as Principal Teacher of Performing Arts at St Ninian's High School, Glasgow. In fact
she was held in such affection there that at her retrial the school arranged for the
international singer Judith Howarth to perform to the school in her honour.
Like most successful musicians Marjory became interested in music from a young age. At school
she was taught by the distinguished Scottish musician, Jean Kidd, MBE. (Jean also trained and
conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) Children's Chorus, working over the years
with several of the great conductors.) From school Marjory was accepted at The Royal Scottish
Academy of Music and Drama where she studied voice, piano and cello and was awarded both a
teaching and a performing diploma. She decided on a career combining both teaching in schools
and performing as a soprano soloist. Early on she sang in a double quartet that toured Denmark
and entertained the Danish Royal Family. After some years of teaching Jean Kidd, who she had
kept in touch with, asked Marjory to join her at the RSNO where she much enjoyed helping to
train and conduct the children's chorus.
However, so far as the Dorian Choir is concerned one of Marjory's most important engagements, a
dozen or so years ago, was as the guest soloist at our Spring Concert. We're delighted she's
back but wish it hadn't taken her so long!
Jane Hepworth - Accompanist
Jane is a gifted pianist. She has played for the Choir as rehearsal, accompanying and solo
pianist for the past 10 years. She teaches piano and singing in Helensburgh. She was born in
Wolverhampton, and gained a B.Mus. from the University College of Wales. She is an Associate of
the London School of Music.
Helensburgh Dorian Choir