Jean Balloch
Member, Alto 1
Bio/Profile
What brought you to singing
There was always music at home when I was growing up. My mother was the conductor of the Junior Choir at the Seamen’s Mission in Musselburgh (formerly known as the British Sailors Society) and it’s only as an adult that I can appreciate the gift she gave some thirty odd girls aged between eight and sixteen in the mid 60s and early 70s. We regularly sang all sorts of hymns in the local area and wore traditional Fishwives dress at most of our concerts. When I was twelve, we slept in Church halls and toured the Highlands and Northern Scotland for two weeks and I’ll always remember the atmosphere when we sang at Wick - there was a complete blackout but it was a magical experience! I can recall us being on stage behind a painted boat when the Mission’s service was televised for Songs of Praise and there’s also a hazy memory of us dressed in our Fishwives gear at the Queen’s Garden Party, Holyrood Palace. The girls all grew up, moved on in different directions but when we met up for a celebration concert in the early nineties, after twenty-five years, most of us could remember the words of every piece! And I’m still friends with some of those girls.
What attracted you to the Kevock Choir
My parents had raved about the Kevock Choir but I had no idea that’s where I was going. My friend mentioned that a choir practised at Lasswade High School on Tuesday evenings and we decided to turn up one night. I was delighted to find that I knew a few people from Musselburgh and some teachers from my role as a Programme Manager running courses in Secondary Schools. My friend was busy with church activities and didn’t stay but I did and have really enjoyed over fifteen years with the Kevock.
There was always music at home when I was growing up. My mother was the conductor of the Junior Choir at the Seamen’s Mission in Musselburgh (formerly known as the British Sailors Society) and it’s only as an adult that I can appreciate the gift she gave some thirty odd girls aged between eight and sixteen in the mid 60s and early 70s. We regularly sang all sorts of hymns in the local area and wore traditional Fishwives dress at most of our concerts. When I was twelve, we slept in Church halls and toured the Highlands and Northern Scotland for two weeks and I’ll always remember the atmosphere when we sang at Wick - there was a complete blackout but it was a magical experience! I can recall us being on stage behind a painted boat when the Mission’s service was televised for Songs of Praise and there’s also a hazy memory of us dressed in our Fishwives gear at the Queen’s Garden Party, Holyrood Palace. The girls all grew up, moved on in different directions but when we met up for a celebration concert in the early nineties, after twenty-five years, most of us could remember the words of every piece! And I’m still friends with some of those girls.
What attracted you to the Kevock Choir
My parents had raved about the Kevock Choir but I had no idea that’s where I was going. My friend mentioned that a choir practised at Lasswade High School on Tuesday evenings and we decided to turn up one night. I was delighted to find that I knew a few people from Musselburgh and some teachers from my role as a Programme Manager running courses in Secondary Schools. My friend was busy with church activities and didn’t stay but I did and have really enjoyed over fifteen years with the Kevock.
Choir Details
| Role(s): | Alto 1 |
| Status: | Active |
| Front Row? | No |
