Forres Big Choir looks back on two decades of singing for audiences around Scotland ... and themselves!
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A COMMUNITY singing group is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with food, awards, games ... and song!
Past and present members of the Forres Big Choir (FBC), founded by Bill Henderson and Kate O’Connell at St John’s Church, Forres will gather for a party at The Mosset Tavern on Saturday, March 9 to look back on two decades of learning and performing.
Having led singing groups for years by 2004, the pair agreed to combine forces and bring their complimentary skills together.
Bill said: “There was a need for a community singing group in Forres to sing inspirational songs from around the world, a cappella, without auditions or ability to read written music.
“That first evening on January 29, 2004, the weather was very cold and snowy. Given the conditions, I was amazed at the turn-out. We jumped straight into singing in four part harmony after a simple round and some warm up exercises.
“Early on we learnt ‘Blue Moon’, ‘Nkosi Sikelel’i Afrika’, ‘The Blessing of Aaron’, ‘If I fell in love with you’ and ‘Pokarekare Ana’. Everyone learns by ear, the most natural way!
“They came back the following week ... And here we still are, 20 years on. Some of the singers from that first night still sing with the choir!”
FBC sings everything from British folk songs to those from South Africa, New Zealand, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe.
“Songs both secular and sacred,” said Bill, “pop and rock anthems, as well as many written specifically for community choirs. I’ve written some of these, as well as created arrangements for many others.
“We also sing many simple rounds and canons as warm-ups.”
Over the years, FBC has moved to Kinloss Church then its current home: St Leonard’s Church rooms. It is not primarily a performance choir.
“Rather, an experiential one,” said Bill. “The idea is the enjoyment of singing for its own sake, every week.”
However, FBC has sung at community events in Forres and Findhorn, as well as at more formal occasions in Universal Hall, St John’s Church, Kinloss Church, Eden Court, Nairn Community and Arts Centre, Brodie Castle and Iona Abbey amongst many others. Every week there are usually 30-40 singers.
“If you can walk you can dance, If you can talk you can sing,” said Bill. “Everyone has their own voice and only a tiny minority are actually tone deaf.
“Singing together is scientifically proven to have a multitude of benefits - including health and wellbeing as well as social inclusion. Choir is a community and singing together is a natural experience, open and accessible to all.
“FBC has a very friendly atmosphere and offers a great way to build relationships.”
The singers are keen to welcome former members as well as the current group to celebrate 20 years of the group. Email billhendersonmusic@gmail.com or call 07876 213576 if you would like to attend the party on March 9.
“There have been many hundreds of people who have been part of the choir for at least one term, if not a year,” said Bill. “We want people to come back to sing for one night, catch up with old friends and make new ones while sharing memories of being part of a big family of community choirs across the UK.
“We will also be honouring our celestial branch - the 14 regular singers who have died since the choir started.”
FBC meets-up every Thursday from 7.30- 9.30pm during school term-time.
See https://www.forresbigchoir.info/ for more details.
