Soundhouse Choir - ALL WELCOME Community Choir - Sing into Simmerdim

Formed in 2016 by Heather Macleod in partnership with the Soundhouse Organisation, the very large, fun and friendly Soundhouse Choir is an ALL-WELCOME Community Choir. Together, they have performed in many of Edinburgh’s finest concert halls - The Usher Hall, Scottish Parliament, Queens Hall, Greyfriars Kirk and the beautiful Pianodrome at Leith Theatre, alongside some of Scotland’s finest musicians.

Anyone can join with no previous experience. There is no requirement to read music. Recorded audio parts are also provided.

Soundhouse Choir’s exciting projects and collaborations have continued with incredible spirit throughout these unprecedented times. Over 300 singers have joined the fun from across the length and breadth of the UK, from Shetland to Sussex, and from overseas from New York to Lisbon. The choir collaborated with Marty Hailey at Metro13 Music to record three stunning songs remotely – Bob Dylan’s I shall be Released feat. soloists from the choir, Enough is Enough with Karine Polwart and Oi Musica for Let it Grow, a truly globe-spanning project in response to COP26 and Al Bowally’s Love is the Sweetest Thing feat. Scottish actor - Mark Bonnar. Enough is Enough was performed live at COP26. After a set of hybrid rehearsals, online and in-person - 100 singers, drums and brass united for two spectacular and life-affirming live performances: Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth, singing to the floating sculpture of Planet Earth – GAIA, then memorably in Govan in Glasgow with the epic additions of a choir of school children, a 70 strong flash-mob choir and two Street Bands, to serenade the giant puppets STORM and AMAL.

‘It really has blown my mind how good it is!’

Although Covid restrictions are easing, current circumstances still suggest that choir would be best continuing in a hybrid fashion. This term there will be one weekly session on Wed eves only and will be broadcasted online via a zoom feed from the room. This model has worked very well in still making welcome those who are not yet comfortable with group singing and those who join us from afar.

Great songs can still be produced with fun and purpose. Singing still feels good and benefits our overall sense of wellbeing.

‘It benefits me emotionally, physically, socially, psychologically, spiritually and I know I am not unique!’

On week 3 (May 11th) Heather is away teaching at another residency and so you’re invited to ‘Get to know each other’ with a social gathering instead of a choir singing session. Some of the choir’s premium social heads have been enlisted to arrange! The social aspect of Soundhouse Choir has been very much missed, so here’s hoping a night out will serve to fill that gap!

Immediately following the close of the term, a cohort of the choir hopes to travel to Shetland at Simmerdim (Midsummer) to perform at Mareel (Sat 18th June) with the Shetland Community Choir. Dates - 16th-21st June inc. The choirs will amass to perform Enough is Enough and a ‘flashmob’ element from the community will be invited to participate. Soundhouse Choir will perform a small selection of songs in addition to the wider programme. We aim to keep the conversation regarding the Climate Crisis in clear sight, as we move towards COP27.

Places available for this trip are limited as ferries and accommodation are at a premium at this time of year but if you should fancy considering joining the choir there under your own steam, or being placed on a reserve list, please e mail [email protected]

More details on this ASAP and will go out to only those who have registered an interest.

Shetland bound or otherwise - an exciting and energetic menu of topical songs is at the ready to learn. You are warmly invited to join the choir for a more relaxed term, as the milder weather and more fresh air comes our way.

SING into Simmerdim! ALL WELCOME. Fun, learning and lots of SINGING guaranteed. ADD YOUR VOICE!

'Singing with Heather brings out the best in me!'

Term costs £45* (+ Eventbrite booking fee) and is payable in full.

*Fees are to be paid on a termly-basis and are non-refundable

'HONESTY' PLACES per term are offered. If you'd love to come along but simply can't afford to then you CAN! No questions asked.

If you’d like an HONESTY PLACE or need further information, please email Heather at [email protected]

The Soundhouse Organisation is a charitable trust. Its work includes providing artists with a public platform via their highly successful Traverse Bar series and curating events such as Tradfest, and programmes at Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival and Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick. They are actively fundraising for a bespoke venue in Edinburgh. Soundhouse Choir is their first education-based venture.

Soundhouse Choir is run by Leod Music as part of the Soundhouse Organisation in line with its Charitable Purposes of advancing education, citizenship, community development and the arts, heritage and culture.

http://www.soundhouse.org.uk/choir/

https://www.facebook.com/SOUNDHOUSECHOIR

https://www.facebook.com/LeodLessons

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