'such an adventurous choir and refreshingly lively sound - I loved it' - Ben Parry, Director, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus
'The magic voices of the Rudsambee a cappella singers who not only perform in the Scottish, Gaelic and Celtic field, but also sing in more than 15 languages. A truly wonderful sound of international acclaim as they demonstrated ... in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle at one of the Royal Gala Dinners' - Iain McConnell of British Executive Service Overseas, who organised the event.
'absolutely stunning, so very moving and all told an exemplary performance' - Brigadier Gael Ramsey CBE, Chief Executive, BESO
'magnificent performance with interestingly varied repertoire' - Stuart Beattie, Manager, Rosslyn Chapel
'lively and accomplished performers ..... introduced a new and welcome dimension to the Festival' - Peter Norris, Organiser, Peebles Festival
'a most enjoyable and entertaining experience for a wide range of listeners' - Nick Finnegan, Events Manager, Historic Scotland
'a beautiful sound and lovely people' - Jacqueline Wyer, Manager of the Georgian House, National Trust for Scotland
'you are wonderful' - Ken Murdoch, proprietor, Methven Castle
I truly enjoyed the performance. What a wonderful sound your group makes. It will be a highlight of this Christmas season in Scotland bringing me to a fine place of peace and contentment. What a fine gift Rudsambee has.
Review in the Edinburgh Evening News : "... a polished and confident ensemble ... pure, unadulterated vocal splendour"
Full of imagination and emotional commitment - colour and texture.
... slick, rhythmic, articulate and very well presented.
from Robin Page's adjudication
There was a wonderful atmosphere here with some quite beautiful moments.
This was fresh and spirited with good diction and good rhythm. There was a wide expressive and dynamic range - very well prepared.
Impressive singing.
review by Sigurd Scott in the Perthshire Advertiser,
of a concert on 13th September 1997
RUDSAMBEE is a Gaelic word meaning "anything at all". It is the name adopted by a group of a cappella singers from Edinburgh and reflects their wide repertoire. They truly lived up to their claim to universal interest in a programme presented last Saturday in Methven Castle.
Their performance included music which spanned the ages and ranged all over the world, sung in languages such as French, Hungarian, Georgian, German, Indian and the African Sotho, as well as native Gaelic.
The variety of works and the quality of sound were splendid. The dedication of the singers was palpable. It was clear that much of their inspiration came from their admirable founder and musical director, Sheena Phillips.
As well as giving clear and purposeful leadership, she had made arrangements of many of the pieces and had set to her own music a gentle lullaby by William Soutar.
Of special attraction were the intriguing, involved Elizabethan Round of Three Country Dances in One by Thomas Ravenscroft, a somewhat starkly harmonised French rondeau dating from the 13th century, and a set of four pieces of Gaelic mouth music.