Cairncross Trophy
Rotary Club of Perth Cairncross Trophy and award of £250 for community service was won this year by Edna Auld. Edna has long been involved with the performing arts and, as a result of interest expressed in singing, formed the Jambouree Choir in 2005. The aim of the choir is to make it available to all, thus, it has always been completely free to members. Their first engagement was to sing for the Queen at the opening of the Perth Concert Hall.
The current choir has 40 members ranging from 7 to 22 years. There is no audition to join. The choir members call Edna mum and rehearsals happen on Thursdays and again on Sunday at Edna’s home. Not only does Edna provide her home for rehearsals and her time free, she also provides a meal for them on Sunday, again, no charge. The choir perform concerts where they charge a fee which is used to support the choir. They often perform to aid other groups to raise money for charities.
Some members of the choir are keen to develop their career in music as a result of the support from the Jambouree. Senior members accompany Edna into schools encouraging children to sing. As a result of their experience, some senior members are progressing to further education in music and the choir is support their ambition with both financial and guidance help.