Skye Chorus
In 2019 Gwen MacQuarrie and Jasmine Threlfall set about bringing a group of enthusiastic informal singers together in the south of Skye.
They invited (persuaded?) Tony Cleverton to lead them and create the South Skye Chorus.
Meanwhile Elaine Ferguson had set up Island Chorus in the north end of Skye
Then 2020 and 2021 arrived and the choir was forced to get together on-line only.
The two choirs then worked together and after two years of singing an assortment of classical and light music pieces in Christmas and Autumn concerts they started to work on the first epic concert - of Mozart’s Requiem at Easter 2024.
Under Tony’s leadership and Elaine’s support, South Skye Chorus became Skye Chorus and started to rehearse in north and south Skye venues coming together once a month for joint rehearsals.
Skye Chorus then performed Handel’s Messiah at Easter 2025, and Fauré’s Requiem at Easter 2026
The singers
As Duncan MacInnes as chairman infamously said in public after Handel’s Messiah “half the choir cannot read music and the other half cannot sing.” At the time the first part was true - the second part was libelous.
The point is that the Chorus includes anyone who wants to join in. There has been no entry voice test.
What is remarkable is that under Tony’s guidance, choir members find they have learned to read music. Tony has constantly stretched the choir’s abilities and has trained the voices so that everyone feels confident to undertake challenging works.
Tony Cleverton, Musical Director
Anthony studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, graduating with 1st Class Hons. He won several awards including the prestigious Frederic Cox Award for Singing, the Alexander Young Song Prize, the Robin Kay Memorial Prize for Opera Singing, and was a Major Scholarship recipient from the Peter Moores Foundation.
As a professional opera singer, he has worked as a baritone soloist extensively throughout the UK, Europe and Canada, including a many-year association with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
He came to Skye in 2018, teaching and leading musical endeavours and 2024 opened his own school in the area, Forte Academy of Music. He is the Musical Director for LMPA Academy of Performing Arts and Skye Chorus.
Our soloists
We have invited professional soloists and musicians to join us in each of the last three years. We are delighted to have welcomed Claire Wild, Soprano; Hannah Pedley, Alto; Paul Hopwood, Tenor; and James Cleverton, Baritone. All have trained with (or are related to!) Tony Cleverton.
In 2026 our own Peigi Ferguson (16) sang the Pie Jesu in the Fauré (just a few minutes after hearing she had got 91% in her viola aural exam!)
For Handel’s Messiah we had the added brilliance of Louis Barclay and Sjeord Tel on trumpet.
We were delighted that Robin Humphreys joined us in 2026 to accompany the entire concert of solo operatic piece and the Fauré.
Our Musicians
When we have need a chamber orchestra we are fortunate to have several semi-professional players in the area, including Roxinne Llewelyn-Porter,Violin; Mark Osborn, Violin; Alan Donald, Viola; Bar Purser, Cello; Jacqui Ross, Keyboard; and Ally Russell Timpani.
The Committee
Duncan MacInnes, Chairman ~ Asha Savage, Secretary ~ Alison Dean, Treasurer
Jasmine Threlfall ~ Gwen MacQuarrie ~ Jo Headley ~ Iain Galbraith
Tony Cleverton, Musical Director ~ Elaine Ferguson, Assistant Musical Director