Stalwart of the Scottish folk scene and celebrated vocalist Christine Kydd is unveiling a set of touching winter releases in aid of the cancer support charity Maggie’s.

Staying On and Wishin on a Winter Star will both be released on Thursday 7 December and feature Just Sing choir, based at Maggie’s Dundee.

The self-penned songs are Christine’s first new material in four years, during which time the beloved singer has lived with, and survived, head and neck cancer.

Christine has undergone extensive treatment in recent years and received unwavering and invaluable support from Maggie’s along the way. Now in recovery, the singer was determined to give back to the charity, raise awareness and work with the amazing Maggie’s Centre singers.

Staying On was inspired by a project Christine attended at Maggie’s called ‘Where, Now?’. Moved by the people she met and the experiences of cancer she shared and heard, Christine sat down to write a song full of gratitude. Christine’s spell-binding vocals are at the core of this captivating track. She lovingly weaves a story of determination and appreciation, which slowly builds before welcoming a rousing chorus of voices, creating a heartwarming musical moment.

Christine wrote the hopeful Wishin on a Winter Star to a traditional French tune. An ode to finding peace, the gentle track with its bright piano accompaniment, has a sparkly, festive feel to it which is sure to inspire a moment of contemplation in its listeners.

A trio of exceptional trad talent also features on the tracks in the form of Gaelic vocalist and songwriter Rachel Walker, musician, composer and producer Angus Lyon and fiddle player Gavin Marwick. Fellow cancer survivors Rachel and Gavin donated their time to the project. Folk singer songwriter Andy Shanks also lends his vocals on Staying On.

Christine Kydd said: “I was really keen to release some new music in aid of Maggie’s Dundee and I was delighted when they asked if the Just Sing choir could be involved. The project is not only about my recovery and wanting to give something back, but about doing something uplifting with the singers, all of whom, including staff from NHS Tayside and the University of Dundee School of Medicine, are impacted by cancer in various ways.

“​​It’s been a great way to say thank you to my dentist Jane, the maxillofacial department at Ninewells, the Dundee Dental Hospital, and all the staff, family, friends and others who have helped along the way. I would also like to remind folks of the importance of dentists to us all in detecting cancers. In my case,  I am lucky they caught it in time”. 

“Recording and releasing the material been a joyful process and even though I’m still in recovery, it has been so meaningful being back doing what I love and a new and fun experience for the choir members.

“I’m a cancer survivor but I think the sentiment of Staying On speaks to all of us – the song is about being grateful for just being alive and celebrating the fact we are all here and trying to make the best of the great gift of life. Wishin on a Winter Star is a song of real hope that I think is perfect for this time of year. I hope it brings others a sense of promise for the future, all while raising money for a wonderful cause.”

Annie Long, Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s Dundee, said: “We are so grateful to Christine for choosing Maggie’s Dundee to benefit from the sales of her beautiful songs. The Maggie’s centre in Dundee sees over 15,000 people from Tayside, Angus and North East Fife each year. Our beautiful centre, designed by Frank Gehry, is there for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and those who care about them. We provide a warm, welcoming place where you can meet people who are experiencing the same things you are, find support groups specific to your needs and get advice and information from our professional staff.  

“Coming to Maggie’s can help to make positive changes to your lifestyle. Our psychological and emotional support has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and depression.  No appointment needed and our support is free. Please call us on 01382 632999 or visit us at www.maggiescentres.org.”

One member of the choir said: I wanted to say just how much I enjoyed the whole experience. Two things came to mind during the recording session: nothing had prepared me for the thrill I felt while recording these pieces of music, having never been in a recording studio before. And, I also realised that what we were recording could potentially last a lifetime, forever even! That’s why I found it to be such a special experience.”

Another added: “As a member of the Just Sing Choir, it was exciting to have the opportunity to sing with Christine Kydd. Following several rehearsal sessions the pièce de résistance was going to the recording studio. Never imagined I would have been standing in a recording studio in front of a mic with headphones on participating in the making of a CD. A wonderful experience.”

A veteran of the folk world, Christine grew up musically in the vibrant Edinburgh scene and her varied music career has taken her to stages and venues around the world. Her many accolades include two Scots Singer of the Year nominations and an induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame.

Regarded as an artist of empathy, range and passion, Christine’s love of both traditional and contemporary song shines through all that she does as a singer, choir director, voice coach, teacher and folklorist. Christine is set to tour the UK with Fiona Ross in April and May 2024.

Christine’s new material was recorded at Gran’s House Studio in Biggar and Stage 2000 in Dundee over a period of around a year during her recovery.

Staying On and Wishin on a Winter Star will be available on BandCamp on Thursday 7 December 2023 and on other streaming platforms shortly after. Go to https://christinekydd.bandcamp.com/