For Barbara Bryceland of the Falkirk congregation in the Edinburgh Scotland Stake, music has been a big part of her family life. Since the day of her birth music resounded in the home. Her father was a wonderful singer and her mother taught her to harmonize.
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Her musical appreciation has been influenced by legendary singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand and many more. For the past twenty five years, Barbara, a professional singer, has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland singing at various venues. “I love the joy that music brings and how it has been a source of healing in my own life. Over the years I have seen many people united through my shows and so I enjoy creating lovely memories.”
Barbara’s friends and family recognized her talent and heard about a new reality show that the BBC were planning on introducing, “The Voice” and obtained an application form. Barbara completed the necessary requirements and so began a long, hard and arduous process of auditions. Over 34,000 people applied and Barbara was the only one selected from Scotland. “A bit of a miracle if you ask me considering my age” said Barbara. Barbara made the preliminary rounds and went head to head with eventual winner Leanne Mitchell and gave a wonderful rendition of “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga.
Speaking of her appearance on the “The Voice,” Barbara says “I get recognized a lot more, and was completely overwhelmed by the love and kindness and best wishes from family friends and strangers, it has been more far reaching than I had ever imagined.”
Despite her new found fame Barbara has always put her family first. There is nothing that can compete with fulfilling her responsibilities as mother and grandmother. She loves looking after her elderly mother, her grandchildren and fulfilling her Church assignments. Barbara says “I have seen many miracles and blessings come my way, I struggle like most members to get over the hurdles of life but putting the Lord first makes it a little easier. Sometimes my life gets pretty hectic however as I pray and study daily, it helps me pace myself. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Saviour, the atonement, the book of Mormon and the Bible. I still marvel at the fact I found the gospel in my life when many close to me have not.”
Since her appearance on “The Voice” Barbara has found that many people have been enquiring more and more about the Church and it has been a delight for her to share her feelings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.