The Big Sing started in September 2005, at Beckford Village Hall, between Evesham and Cheltenham. A monthly opportunity for singers of all abilities and backgrounds to come together for a three hour harmony singing workshop led by local community choir leaders Hilary Davies and Alice Robin.

Each month three or four songs, drawn from different cultures and traditions across the world are taught in a cappella harmony. Often there is a theme - ‘Hot Gospel’, ‘Songs from South Africa’ ‘Celebrating songs from the British Isles’, but everything is taught aurally, without written music. This is not just to make these wonderful songs accessible to anyone, whether they can read music or not, but also because learning aurally enables the group to enter into the spirit of a song  very quickly in a very different way from music reading. Many of the songs originate from cultures where the aural tradition of singing is still very much alive.

No one is expected to sing on their own, instead the aural teaching method enables singers to naturally support each other in learning the parts. This creates a real sense of community and enjoyment.

Singers from 8 to 80 plus are welcome (participating children under 15 come free), and as it is a monthly session, it is very good for those who are unable to commit to a regular weekly choir but still want to enjoy a really good sing with a large group of people. Each November we try to encourage more men to sing, and we welcome them for free! This gives them the opportunity to sing with a larger group of men and also gives the women the pleasure of singing with a lot stronger men’s section.

All in all, the Big Sing is a lot of fun, lifting spirits, warming the heart and building friendships and community. What more could you ask ?