Forres Gazette, 22 July 2009
A big success all round for the Big Choir
A concert by local singers at St John's Church in Forres attracted a large turnout.

The Rev Cliff Piper welcomed a packed house to the church on Saturday, July 4 for a night of sparkling entertainment. The event featured the Forres Big Choir, a group of local people who meet once a week in the church to sing. Conducted for the occasion by Bill Henderson and Kate O'Connell, the choir played to a full house. The audience were also delighted to welcome women-only group 'Too Many Kooks', which also features Mrs O'Connell and were extremely well received.
A spokesperson for the choir said that the evening was a great success, and that singers had chosen to dress in fiery colours to mark St John's tide. "They were in top form under the direction of choirmasters Bill Henderson and Kate O'Connell," he said. "The audience was entertained with rousing renditions of old favourites from the Beach Boys and George Harrison, as well as traditional songs from South Africa and the Republic of Georgia." He said that 'Too Many Kooks' added to the entertainment with a sparkling performance of powerful songs and dazzling harmonies. "The audience wasn't in the least bit shy," he said, "joining in enthusiastically when they were invited."
The organisers expressed their thanks to everyone for their handsome support of the event, which was held as a benefit for the church.


Forres Gazette, 1 November 2006
Big and beautiful on Isle of Iona
Members of The Forres Big Choir have just returned from a windswept visit to the atmospheric island of Iona.

The trip to the island has become an annual pilgrimage and short break for the group as well as choir leaders Bill Henderson and Kate O'Connell. They 'take over' the local hostel on the island and spend their time singing, walking and enjoying each others' company during the five-day break. "This gives the choir time to spend time together," said Mrs O'Connell. "This is almost as important to us as the singing."
She explained that during their visit The Big Choir presented an hour-long programme of songs in Iona Abbey to an enthusiastic audience of around 60 people. The repertoire included gospel music, African songs, a Hebridean chant to calm the storm, a healing song from the Republic of Georgia and international songs for peace. "Towards the end members of the audience were invited to join the choir in singing two songs for peace," said Mrs O'Connell. "This doubled our number and created a moving experience for participants." She said the event went extremely well and remarked that the following day, as members of the choir were out and about, they were often approached by people who had been at the concert. Mr Henderson said: "They kept coming up to choir members and thanking them for a beautiful and touching experience.
The Forres Big Choir, which meets every Thursday evening during term time, is open to anyone who wants to sing. It is made up of a wide range of people from beginners to accomplished singers. The musical style embraces music from Scotland and around the World , both secular and sacred and includes The Beach Boys and The Beatles as well as contemporary composer Karl Jenkins. They meet in St John's Church in Forres and newcomers are always welcome. Choir members come from Nairn, Auldearn, Elgin, Duffus and Rafford, as well as Findhorn and Forres.