KOS: Celebrations 150! Extra
Tue, 13 May 2025
KIRKCALDY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY, FIFE'S COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA continued its 2024/2025, 150th, season with Some Extra Celebrations on Tuesday 13th May at 7.30pm in Kirkcaldy's Old Kirk performing to a welcoming and enthusiastic audience.
The music was provided by the KOS Contemporary Ensemble and the KOS Chamber Orchestra with John Gourlay and Graeme Wilson respectively jointly curating and leading the concert.
The concert opened with the Chorale Prelude from JS Bach’s Cantata 140, Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake) with encouragement to the listeners to be open to the different sounds available in the Extra concert.
The Chamber Orchestra presented movements from Philip Lane’s Cotswold Suite and JS Bach’s Orchestral Suite 4. KOS member Craig Steedman took centre stage for a sparkling performance with the orchestra strings of Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto La Notte.
The orchestra displayed its flexibility with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Psalm 150 with a small instrumental ensemble supporting the majority of the orchestra on vocal form.
The brass and basses combined in The Sham Doctor, music written by Mr Motteux for Edward Ravenscroft’s seventeenth century play.
In contrast, the Contemporary Ensemble performed John Gourlay’s The Four Elements and he also performed his own composition Pilgrimage for soprano saxophone and prepared audio backing inspired by his four-day walk on the Fife Pilgrim Way from West Fife to St Andrews.
The music was provided by the KOS Contemporary Ensemble and the KOS Chamber Orchestra with John Gourlay and Graeme Wilson respectively jointly curating and leading the concert.
The concert opened with the Chorale Prelude from JS Bach’s Cantata 140, Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake) with encouragement to the listeners to be open to the different sounds available in the Extra concert.
The Chamber Orchestra presented movements from Philip Lane’s Cotswold Suite and JS Bach’s Orchestral Suite 4. KOS member Craig Steedman took centre stage for a sparkling performance with the orchestra strings of Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto La Notte.
The orchestra displayed its flexibility with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Psalm 150 with a small instrumental ensemble supporting the majority of the orchestra on vocal form.
The brass and basses combined in The Sham Doctor, music written by Mr Motteux for Edward Ravenscroft’s seventeenth century play.
In contrast, the Contemporary Ensemble performed John Gourlay’s The Four Elements and he also performed his own composition Pilgrimage for soprano saxophone and prepared audio backing inspired by his four-day walk on the Fife Pilgrim Way from West Fife to St Andrews.
Making Music for 150 years
Sun, 23 Mar 2025
The Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society can trace its history back to 1875 and our Spring 2025 concert will celebrate 150 years of making music.
The concert will include works by Handel, Greig and Sibelius and feature a new work by John Gourlay.
The concert will include works by Handel, Greig and Sibelius and feature a new work by John Gourlay.
Seasonal Celebration 2 Winter
Sun, 15 Dec 2024
At the annual Christmas concerts we will be joined by the Langtoun Singers and narrator Sandra Taylor. Featuring A Wee Fife Festival Overture, Gourlay; How David Made an Orchestra, Turner; Carol Fantasia, Fox; Troika, Prokofiev and Carols for All.
Let the Celebrations begin...1 Autumn
Tue, 1 Oct 2024
The first concert in the KOS season celebrating 150 years of music making will feature Bizet, Tchaikowsky with the soloist Katrina Marzella-Wheeler. There will also be a new piece by John Gourlay, A Wee Fife Festival Overture.
Naturally Elementally 5, Spring
Sun, 24 Mar 2024
The KOS March concert will feature the first performance of John Gourlay’s Old Kirk Concerto no. 4 Pale Blue Dot with soloist Margaret Smith, trumpet, Finlandia, Land of the Mountain and the Flood, Thunder and Lightning Polka, Star Wars and Diversions on a tune by Dr Arne.
Naturally Elementally 2, Winter
Sun, 17 Dec 2023
KOS along with our regular choir at Christmas, The Langtoun Singers look forward to you joining us at their always popular Christmas concerts. The concerts will include The Snowman with narrator Sandra Taylor, overture to Handsel and Gretel and carols for all.
Naturally Elementally 3, Winter
Sun, 17 Dec 2023
KOS along with our regular choir at Christmas, The Langtoun Singers look forward to you joining us at their always popular Christmas concerts. The concerts will include The Snowman with narrator Sandra Taylor, overture to Handsel and Gretel and carols for all.
Naturally Elementally 1 Autumn
Tue, 3 Oct 2023
The theme for this season of KOS concerts explores elements of nature and music. This first concert will include works by Mendelssohn, Handel and music commissioned by Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust and Fife Council to mark the anniversary of the birth of Adam Smith
Dance on....with KOS......Spring
Sun, 26 Mar 2023
KOS will premier a new piece by Fife composer John Gourlay, A Big Song and Dance (Old Kirk Concerto No. 3) with Stuart Smith clarinet. We also be visiting the Caribbean, a Hoedown, performing an Abba Symfonica and other pieces with a dancing theme to close our season.
Dance on....with KOS......at the ballet
Sun, 18 Dec 2022
KOS will be joined by the Langtoun Singers at our popular festive concert. We will be presenting a programme of seasonal music for all to enjoy. There will be music from the Nutcracker, a Christmas dance, carols for all and a visit to the caribbean.
Dance On....with KOS
Tue, 4 Oct 2022
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society hope that you will Dance on........with KOS this season.
Our first concert will include Scottish and Slavonic dances along with variations on a Ukrainian theme for accordian and orchestra.
Our first concert will include Scottish and Slavonic dances along with variations on a Ukrainian theme for accordian and orchestra.
March concert
Sun, 20 Mar 2022
Recovering Connections 3 - Spring
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society will present a programme of music originally planned for our spring concert, March 2020.
This includes Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez, Concerto for Orchestra (Old Kirk Concerto No. 2) by John Gourlay, Benjamin Britten's Five Courtly Dances from Gloriana and a wind band presentation of the march HRH Duke of Cambridge by Malcolm Arnold.
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society will present a programme of music originally planned for our spring concert, March 2020.
This includes Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez, Concerto for Orchestra (Old Kirk Concerto No. 2) by John Gourlay, Benjamin Britten's Five Courtly Dances from Gloriana and a wind band presentation of the march HRH Duke of Cambridge by Malcolm Arnold.
Christmas concert
Sun, 12 Dec 2021
KOS is back with our popular festive concert. We will be presenting a programme of seasonal music and look forward you joining us. There will only be one concert this year and numbers will be limited. We are taking reservations for tickets and if you would like to attend please email our treasurer, details on the contact page.
