a cappella in
Edinburgh
We roam the world (and the library) for songs which appeal to us: mediaeval motets, renaissance songs from Scotland and elsewhere, and wonderful pieces from Africa, Asia, the Americas and all corners of Europe from Bosnia to Finland. Original settings of Scots and English poetry are a feature of our repertoire. We also make our own settings of folk songs and other music from Britain and around the world. It's available to see, hear and buy if you would like to share it.
We are based in Edinburgh and perform widely in Scotland.
The choir is led by Ollie Singleton, and numbers 20 people as diverse as the music we sing.
Venues such as
feature in our recent performances listing.
Rudsambee has performed at two Royal Gala Dinners attended by the Princess Royal in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle and in the Hub (one of Edinburgh's major Festival venues).
We have broadcast more than once on BBC Radio Scotland (not to mention Loch Broom FM, and a few moments on Radio 4), and we sang two concerts for the BBC's Music Live festival in 2000; we have performed in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; we have won prizes in competition. Choral Festival appearances include Coleraine (Northern Ireland) and Arendal (Norway). We have twice toured venues in the North-West of Scotland, with support from Awards for All and Highlands and Islands Arts.
Rudsambee has produced four CDs,
We have enjoyed visits from the Liga av Sang og Munterhed, Kammerkoret Cantemus, Tjølling Sangforening, Straumsnes Songlag and Abildsø Bygdekor, all from Norway, and Københavns Folkekor from Denmark.
We perform for charity from time to time. In 2002 and 2003 we sang to raise funds for Oxfam, Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, Chernobyl Children Lifeline, British Executive Service Overseas, and Scottish Love in Action.
Rudsambee was created and built up by Sheena Phillips, an inspirational leader, dynamic organiser and true friend. We've had to manage without her since January 2000, when she moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she is now a busy and successful composer, choir director and singer.
What we can remember of our history is here. If you have anything to augment it, please send it in to our archive.
For any further information, you can e-mail us or write to Rudsambee, 6 Ravelrig Park, Edinburgh EH14 7DL.