Do you have schooldays memories of taking part in the Dundee-based Leng Medal Scots song singing competitions? Perhaps you were a proud prize-winner of a Silver or Gold Leng Medal?
Maybe you didn’t actually win, but the memories are still vivid? You might remember the song you chose, or which song book you sang from? Or you helped someone else polish up their performance?
Maybe you’ve never stopped singing Scottish songs?
I’m on the staff of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as a postdoctoral research fellow, researching Scottish music. Whilst investigating an old Scottish song book aimed at school pupils in the post-war era, I became fascinated by the initiative of Sir John Leng (1828-1906), who endowed the singing prize 125 years ago. He died 120 years ago, but his singing competition is still live and kicking all these years later. Encouraging kids to sing Scottish songs was obviously a good thing!
I decided to find out more, and I’m embarking on a project to talk to as many Leng medallists, entrants, teachers or adjudicators as possible. The Sir John Leng Trust endorses this research, and is looking forward to hearing what I uncover.
My research is made possible with the support of an Athenaeum Award from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Would you like to help me? If so, I’d be very grateful if you could fill in a very short questionnaire, and I’ll get back in touch as soon as I can to arrange an interview with anyone who has a story to tell!
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 