Usher Hall prize winner returns after 81 years

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

A RETIRED Lothians architect has returned to visit the Usher Hall, 81 years after he won a special music prize at the famous venue.

John Lawrie Lumsden performed at the hall in 1928 and won a gold medal at an annual musical festival for choirs, duetists and soloists.

Mr Lumsden sang in the competition when he was just 14 and after hearing that the hall had gone through a major refurbishment, was keen to visit the historic venue again.

The 95-year-old toured the new-look venue with Councillor Deidre Brock, recalling some of the fond memories he has of the building.

The landmark venue has recently undergone a major refurbishment. Mr Lumsden, said: "It is now 81 years come and gone, since I last sang from the stage of the Usher Hall as a 14-year-old boy.I haven't seen the hall since and I am delighted to be seeing this most prestigious building refurbished."

Cllr Brock, culture convener, said: "The Usher Hall is undeniably Edinburgh's finest and most historic music venue. We were delighted to hear from Mr Lawrie and of his fond memories of performing at the hall."