Reuniting old friends at the Celebration of Carols

To help alumni reconnect with Aberdeen, the 2019 Celebration of Carols held at St Marylebone Parish Church in London had a true flavour of north-east Scotland.

Writer and performer Shane Strachan – a triple graduate of the University – translated sections of Dr Seuss’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ into Doric.

“The text is beautifully written but because it is quite rhymed, it can be tricky to translate this kind of work into Doric with different vowel sounds from English.

“I was surprised how much of it has come across well but the characters really take on a different dimension in Doric and the Grinch has a more humorous tone!

“I spent eight years at the University of Aberdeen but when you graduate you naturally follow the opportunities wherever they may take you.

“With so many people working in or having access to London it was great to reconnect with people I met during my time who have since moved away.

“I hope that the reading from The Grinch added to the sense of reconnecting as it’s a story most people will know and as all the graduates spent several years living in Aberdeen or may come from the region originally they’ll all have come into some contact with Doric.

“It is such a big part of our regional identity so whether those in the audience were fluent speakers or know only a couple of words, I hope that hearing The Grinch in our local tongue helped them to re-connect with the north-east and their memories of their time as a student here.”

Joining the festivities for the first time was actress Sophie Kennedy Clark who won a Scottish Bafta for her role in the film Philomena and starred in BBC drama The Cry.

Entertainer and performer Robert Lovie and singer, songwriter, broadcaster and producer Fiona Kennedy who are both honorary Aberdeen graduates received a warm welcome back.

The service was led once again by Revd Canon Stephen Evans, who studied at Aberdeen, and also featured the winners of the 2019 Ogston Music Prize, Matthew Kilner (saxophone) and David Walsh (tenor).

University Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor George Boyne, joined the festivities for the second time and shared mince pies and mulled wine with his fellow alumni after the service.

The University’s Chamber Choir again proved a hit and the service was a highlight of the year for both the audience and those who took part.

Choir member Hannah Hobson, a fourth year music student, said: “Coming down to London is a highlight of every year. It's always nice to come down and see the people who show up, and it's a good experience for us performing the music that we do to a high standard, and getting everyone to hear it who may not have heard the choir during their own time at University but are now enjoying it this time around.

“It's amazing; after this trip we just bond so much better than we did at the rehearsals. Every year it's always a different choir – we always re-audition. It's always nice coming to London and everyone getting to know each other, because we spend so much time with each other at the hostel and then coming to the rehearsals. It's always great, that bonding experience. I think that's probably the best thing that comes out of this trip.”

Fellow student Iona Rae added: “We've been very, very lucky to come here every year and it's become such an important part of my time throughout university. Being able to share these memories with the same people for four years, and different people, and just getting to know a whole array of characters and personalities, it's always so much fun. I would like to say a massive thank you for this opportunity because we are so lucky to be able to come down to London and perform in front of so many people who have experienced amazing times at the University of Aberdeen, just like we have.”

Rob Donelson, Executive Director of Advancement at the University’s Development Trust summed up the thoughts of the audience. He said: “This was my first Celebration of Carols event and I was deeply impressed by the superb quality of our student choir. Their talent speaks volumes about our university and was matched by the beauty of the venue and the thoughtful and humorous readings which complemented the music. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season!”

Olu Jatto, who graduated from the University with an LLM Commercial Law in 2002, was one of those who enjoyed a surprise reunion.

He explains: “Yomi Akisanya and I met at the Nigerian Law School back in 1998/1999, before I attended the University of Aberdeen in 2001, and then met briefly again in Watford London in 2006 before he later went to the University of Aberdeen to complete his LLM. Unfortunately after 2006 we lost contact.

“It came as a great surprise seeing him at St Marylebone Parish Church on the 18th of December for the annual alumni carol service. Had it not been for such an event the chance of rekindling my friendship with Yomi would have been too slim. Thank you to Aberdeen Alumni Relations for giving us that true feeling of Christmas magic.”