Always on
This project successfully funded on 11th March 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Dundee Gaelic Choir Cultural Exchange Orléans 2026
Dundee, Dundee City Council, United Kingdom
First target reached!
Introducing our stretch target If we reach this new goal, we’ll be able to help shap...
Aim
Dundee Gaelic Choir plans to travel to Dundee’s Twin Town - Orléans, France - to take part in the city’s annual Joan of Arc celebrations.
Known locally as the Fêtes de Jeanne d’Arc, the festival has been celebrated for nearly 600 years. Each year, the city of Orléans comes alive with concerts, parades, and ceremonies that honour Joan of Arc’s role in liberating the city in 1429, while also commemorating the end of WWII.
The highlight of our visit will be a joint concert on Thursday 7th May with our host choir, Choeur Orléans Val de Loire.
By donating, you’ll help us represent Dundee and Scotland proudly at this international celebration of music, history and culture.
Why This Trip Matters
- 2026 is a year of milestones… It marks the 80th anniversary of the Dundee–Orléans Twinning Association and the 60th anniversary of our choir — making this trip a truly special way to celebrate our history.
- The Orléans choir has specifically asked for a Scottish choir to take part in next year’s celebrations. Part of the experience will be a cultural and language exchange, giving us the opportunity to sing in our partners’ language.
- Following the spirit of the Scottish Languages Act 2025, which gave Gaelic and Scots official recognition, this trip offers a unique chance to share Scotland’s language, music, and heritage abroad — letting Gaelic song be heard on an international stage.
A Bit About Us
Dundee Gaelic Choir brings together people from all walks of life—from students in their early twenties to singers in their eighties, including retired teachers, healthcare professionals, service veterans, social services professionals, and many more. This diversity is part of what makes the choir so special: individuals with different backgrounds, careers, and life experiences, all united by a shared passion for Gaelic song and a commitment to celebrating and preserving this vital part of Scotland’s cultural heritage.
For many of the singers involved, the project offers a rare opportunity to travel, grow in confidence, forge new connections, and celebrate Gaelic culture on an international stage.
For audiences in France, the exchange opens a window into the Gaelic language and its distinctive musical landscape—one that blends history, storytelling, and community spirit. Through live performance, the choir brings these traditions to life, helping to deepen cross-cultural understanding and spark curiosity about Scottish culture. The collaboration also strengthens international artistic relationships, laying the groundwork for future joint projects and shared learning between the two communities.
An Invitation for Our Supporters
As a special thank you, all those who contribute to our Crowdfunder page will be invited to join us as special guests at our Annual Concert in early October, where they will hear news of our adventures and enjoy a sneak preview of songs from the choir and soloists ahead of our participation in the National Mòd in Glasgow in October 2026. To find out more, please get in touch with us on Facebook Messenger or Instagram.
Every contribution brings us closer to raising our voices in Orléans.
As a community choir, we do not have large cash reserves, and we keep our fees low to remain accessible to people from all financial backgrounds. Your support will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take part and that the choir can perform at its very best, in full harmony!
All funds raised will be used directly towards essential costs, including travel, venue hire for rehearsals, and additional tuition and conductor time. To keep expenses as low as possible, choristers are contributing 50% of their own travel costs, ensuring that every donation goes further and supports only what is necessary for the success of the project.
Mòran taing, Merci beaucoup! 🎶❤️
Creative Scotland Crowdmatch has provided £1,625 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made