In 2000 the Bothwell Philharmonic Choir began life as a small group of 28 voices, joining together for a ‘one off’ concert to celebrate Bothwell’s links with its twin town Jouy en Josas.

23 years later we are still going strong and have increased our ranks to around 55 members from all over Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire.

During these 23 years we have welcomed many guests some now International Stars in their own right, most notably the sopranos Lisa Milne and Kate Valentine and Mezzo Soprano Aileen Sim.

22 years ago we gave our very first Christmas Concert, joined for the first time, with the Gorgie Brass Band. We are delighted that the band has joined us at every subsequent concert at  the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD).

A particularly notable performance was in March 2010 when we strayed from our usual repertoire to perform Mozart’s Requiem, with full orchestra, in the Barony Halls in Glasgow.

Other notable performances include an open air performance of Faure’s Requiem at Dalzell House and acting as a backing choir in a 70s Tribute Concert to Boney M and Leo Sayer at the SECC.

Covid restictions meant that the choir were unable to perform for 20 months. After restrictions were lifted we went back into our rehearsal keen to begin performing.  Our first performance was a Christmas concert in Bothwell Parish Church in December 2022.

Of course our success is due in no small part to our loyal audience who have supported us over the years, most notably at our 2010 Christmas Concert. When the rest of the country had ground to a standstill due to the worst winter in decades, The Bothwell Philharmonic welcomed its enthusiastic audience to the RSAMD for its Christmas Concert. Even the band made it all the way from Edinburgh in Blizzard conditions!

The choir is also proud to promote young talent and frequently engages up and coming young performers as guests at concerts throughout the year.

During these 23 years we have raised tens of thousands of pounds for a variety of charities including, St Andrews Hospice, Music in Hospitals, Riding for the Disabled, The Preshal Trust, The Scottish Spina Bifida Association and Help for Heroes.