Legendary choir conductor to be celebrated in special concert

The extraordinary musical career of one of the UK’s longest standing choir conductors is set to be celebrated in a special concert in Glasgow later this month.

Article Source: Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association
Last Updated: 3 March 2025 11:25

The legendary Kenneth (Kenny) Thomson BEM is retiring after a remarkable 42 years holding the conducting baton for one of Scotland’s oldest and largest Gaelic choirs, the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, leaving a meaningful musical legacy in his wake.

The concert, titled Urram do Choinneach / Honouring Kenneth, will take place on Friday 14th March at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, making for a fitting tribute to Kenny’s extraordinary contribution to Scottish music.

Kenny’s involvement with the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association – fondly known as the GG – began in 1968 when he joined as a singer in the Bass section, and in the 57 years since, he has gone on to amass a raft of accolades and richly deserved recognition.

A hugely well-liked and well-known figure among the Gaelic world, Kenny has earned a reputation as a true torchbearer for musical artistry and for upholding and advancing tradition.

He won the prestigious Gold Medal for Gaelic solo singing at the Royal National Mòd in 1979, four years after winning the learner’s equivalent, the Silver Pendant. At the helm of the GG, he then steered the group to multiple record-breaking choral competition victories. In Kenneth’s time as leader, the choir won the prestigious Lovat and Tullibardine Shield six times, along with bagging over a score of other top Mòd trophies.

Kenneth is a former president of the Association of Gaelic Choirs and a prolific arranger and composer in his own right, having created over 100 Gaelic song arrangements for choirs and other vocal ensembles.

In recognition of his exceptional work, he was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and awarded the British Empire Medal in June 2022 for his services to Gaelic choral music.

The concert to celebrate these achievements and his remarkable tenure as conductor is already a sell out and will see his 70-strong Gaelic choir perform songs and arrangements that are important to Kenneth.

Some of the country’s finest Gaelic singers including Jenna Cumming, Joanie Morrison, Joy Dunlop, Ryan Johnston and D-I Brown will also take to the stage for solo performances to honour the stalwart.

Kenny's grandson Archie Thomson will pay his own personal tribute, playing a tune written especially for Kenny on the bagpipes, fittingly entitled Kenneth Thomson BEM (composer Callum Wynd), while award-winning piper Finlay Johnston will start the proceedings in grand style.

The kindness, generosity and dedication Kenny shared with the music community across five decades also extends to other parts of his life. Kenny was deeply involved with the CLIC Sargent cancer charity – now known as Young Lives vs Cancer – organising an annual Glasgow carol concert to raise vital funds for the cause.

As chair, Kenneth is thought to have raised more than a quarter of a million pounds for the charity over the years, balancing his love for music with his commitment to helping others.

Kenneth’s final outing as GG conductor has been curated by the man himself to include many of his famous choral arrangements of both traditional and newer Gaelic songs.

Conductor Kenny Thomson said: “I am deeply humbled by the support and dedication of the GG and the wider choral and Gaelic community. This concert will be a heartfelt celebration not just of my work, but of the incredible talent of the choristers and musicians who have shared this journey with me. The GG have been performing together in the heart of Glasgow since 1893 and the end of my tenure marks the start of another exciting new chapter in the choir’s storied history. I hope you can join us for a very special evening of joy and celebration, championing the very best of Gaelic and choral music and tradition.”

Concert Showrunner D-I Brown said: “Kenny has had a remarkable musical journey spanning over four decades and it is only right that we celebrate this. Although his retirement marks the end of an era for the choir, we know his legacy will continue long after he puts down the baton at the end of this concert. Kenneth’s enduring dedication and passion has significantly enriched the landscape of Gaelic and choral music, and we can’t wait to pay tribute to the mark he has made on all of us.”

The Urram do Choinneach / Honouring Kenneth concert promises to be a night of unforgettable music and emotion, as the Scottish choral community comes together to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of its most influential figures.

All proceeds will go to support the continued work of the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association and further efforts to promote Gaelic music.

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