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Olympic Torch and Jean Armour Dinner
BARRMILL JOLLY BEGGARS BURNS CLUB
OLYMPIC TORCH/JEAN ARMOUR DINNER – SATURDAY MAY 12 2012 6.45 FOR 7.00 PM – BEITH MASONIC HALL – TICKETS £12
Just a brief note to advise that in addtion to Rev Fiona Ross (Toast to Jean Armour) we also have Brian Whittle, former Olympic athletic (Toast to Olympics 2012), I am delighted to announce that we have also beenvery fortunate to have two of Scotland’s finest entertainers for this very special dinner. Gordon Cree and Cheryl Forbes and bio-details are shown below.
Anyone wish tickets for this dinner should contact Donald Reid (01505-503801) or Warnock Longridge (01505-503994). This has all the hallmarks of being an absolutely fabulous night, very special in the annals of Barrmill Jolly Beggars BC so if you wish tickets, don’t delay!!
Best wishes
Donald L Reid
Secretary
Barrmill Jolly Beggars B
Tel: 01505-503801
M: 07814614345
E: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com
Gordon Cree was born in Ayrshire and started making music in public at a very young age. At age seventeen he was accepted as a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he studied singing with Marilyn J. Smith and piano with Lily Geddes. After leaving the RSAMD, he went on to study singing with many other teachers including Patricia McMahon and, perhaps most significantly, arranging, orchestrating and conducting with Brian Fahey – former musical director of the BBC Radio Orchestra and arranger for Chappell & Co., EMI and Shirley Bassey. His piano playing also came under the watchful eye and subsequent noticeable influence of the legendary Australian pianist, Peggy O’Keefe. Gradually Gordon has gained recognition and maintained significant respect in an incredibly large number of fields in music and the arts: singer in concert, recital, oratorio, theatre and cabaret, piano soloist and accompanist in concert, recital, orchestras and jazz ensembles, conductor in concert, musical theatre and choral projects, well-known theatre organist (having appeared at the legendary Blackpool Tower Ballroom,) arranger/orchestrator in every corner of the musical spectrum from symphonic to big band, and a much-loved character actor, master of ceremonies and after-dinner speaker.
He continues to be honoured and active in public life being a life member of the Scottish Showbusiness Benevolent Fund, The British Music Hall Society, The British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and in 2008 he was honoured to be made a freeman of the City of Glasgow in recognition of his services to music. It is said that a “Jack-of-all-trades” can never be a master of any, but there are few who would challenge Gordon Cree to a duel in many of his fields.
Selected theatre credits include:
1 Pantomime (2000) Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, 1 Pantomime (2002) Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock, 2 Pantomimes (1998-1999) Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, 7 Pantomimes (2000, 2003-2008) Ayr Gaiety, Pride of the Valley (1997) Palace Theatre, Jimmy Logan Show (1998) Palace Theatre, A Touch of White Heather (1998) Palace Theatre, A Touch of White Heather (1998) Queen’s Hall, Dunoon (Summer Season), Scottish Memories (1998) Stardust Room, New York City, An Evening with Jimmy Logan (2001) Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Gaiety All-Stars (2002-2008) Ayr Gaiety, Gaiety Whirl (2003-2007) Ayr Gaiety, The Not Forgotten Show (2006) Tower of London, Dad’s Army Onstage (2006) Ayr Gaiety, Gala Showtime (2006 & 2007) Cleator Moor Theatre, Duggie Chapman’s Matinee Music Hall (2007) Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Burlesque Spectacular (2007) The Sage, Gateshead, Matinee Music Hall (2008) Pavilion Theatre, Wintergardens, Blackpool (Summer Season), All Star Gala (2008) Blackpool Opera House, Gala Showtime (2008) Blackfriars Theatre, Boston, Roy Hudd Show (2008) Theatre Royal, Margate, An Evening with Gordon Cree (Ongoing) Tour
Selected Concert Credits Include:
All in an April Evening (1999) Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Music for a Summer’s Evening (2005-Ongoing) Darvel Church, Scottish National Orchestra (Various), Scottish Festival Orchestra (Various), Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra (Various), Gordon Cree Concert Orchestra (Numerous), A Christmas Gala Concert (2007) Kilmarnock Grand Hall, The Mikado – Concert Version (Pooh-Bah) (2006) Ayr Town Hall
Selected Televsion and Radio Credits include:
Take the Floor (numerous) BBC Radio Scotland, Silver Stars (1998-2003) STV, North Tonight (1999) Granada Television, A Bunch of Thyme (2000) BBC Northern Ireland, Grampian Tonight (2001) Grampian Television, The Kelly Show (2001 & 2002) Ulster Television, Majestic Music Hall (2006) West Sound Radio, Golden Memories (2008) Heartland FM
Selected Cruise Credits include:
The National Trust for Scotland, Fred Olsen, Page & Moy
Very Abridged Arranging Credits
The Wizard of Oz (2001) Denny Theatre, Dumbarton, Friday Night is Music Night (Various), A Christmas Gala Concert (2007), 10 Full Pantomime Productions, 4 Full Summer Seasons, Pride of the Clyde (additional arrangements), In Town Tonight (additional arrangments), The 50/50 Concert (2001 – 2008), Artistes including Moira Anderson, Joan Savage, Brenda Cochrane, Mari Gordon-Price, Jimmy Logan, Cheryl Forbes, Peter Morrison, Joan Hinde.
CHERYL FORBES
Cheryl Forbes is one of the UKs outstanding mezzo-soprana. Cheryl needs no introduction to music-lovers throughout the UK and beyond with her multi-faceted vocal artistry taking her into the hearts of audiences around the globe.
With these top class professional entertainers on board for our dinner, this is definitely a night not to be missed.
Resume Activities
Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club resume activities on Monday 5th September at 7.30 pm in Beith Masonic Hall (lower lounge). The speaker is well known local, Arkley Simpson, who takes as his subject: Archery. Knowing Arkely he will no doubt get straight to the point!
The Burns input will be given by Past President Bob Wark. Visitors and potential members will be warmly welcomed and copies of the syllabus for session 2011/12 will be distributed. For further information about the Jolly Beggars contact Donald Reid on 01505-503801 or Warnock Longridge on 01505-503994 or simply come along on the evening.
