Voices in Bloom & The Big Sing
The health benefits of singing are well documented. Come along to our adult singing sessions and meet like-minded folks over harmonies and cups of tea! No musical experience necessary and the sessions are completely free to attend. Voices in Bloom takes place in Alness on Tuesdays and The Big Sing is in Dingwall every Tuesday. You are welcome to attend either, or both groups, whatever suits you – maybe you’d like to do one block of Voices in Bloom and then one block of The Big Sing, that’s absolutely up to you! Everyone is welcome.
You will find details of both groups below, including details of how to book your free place. For further information, phone 01349 862600 or email marisa.astill-brown@feisrois.org.
Voices in Bloom, Alness
- Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Perrins Centre, Alness
These sessions will be led by seasoned choir leader and musician, Jessica Bates. Each week you’ll learn popular songs and explore harmonies. Lyric sheets will be provided. There will be free tea, coffee and biscuits on offer and access to a tap to fill your own water bottle. These sessions are free to attend, and there is a donation bucket each week for anyone who’d like to donate towards funding the class.
Jessica is originally from Cromarty on the Black Isle. She is a graduate from Newcastle University with a degree in Folk and Traditional Music on her primary instrument the piano. She has always taken a very strong interest in the positive impact that singing has on mental and physical health. Since graduation she has built a career in Highland; teaching, performing and running several successful choirs in Highland.
- Block 1 (6 weeks) – Tuesday 2nd September – Tuesday 7th October 2025
- Block 2 (8 weeks) – Tuesday 28th October – Tuesday 16th December 2025
- Block 3 (10 weeks) – Tuesday 20th January – Tuesday 24th March 2026
- Block 4 (10 weeks) – Tuesday 21st April – Tuesday 23rd June 2026
The Big Sing, Dingwall
- Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, Robertson House, Dingwall
Come along to our free weekly singing workshops for adults in Dingwall, led by acclaimed singer, Fionnag NicChoinnich. Enjoy learning songs in Scots, English and maybe some in Gaelic and other languages too. There will be opportunities to perform at Dingwall 800 events later in the year. All welcome!
Born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis, Fionnag has been singing since a young age, with many years as a member of Gaelic community choirs. After teaching traditional song and music to children in various schools in the Highlands, Fionnag then worked as an archive assistant which allowed her to combine her love of history and culture as well as helping members of the public find out more about their family history. From traditional Gaelic and Scots songs to the more popular ‘classics’, Fionnag sees the value in all types of music and is looking forward to meeting new people in the community to find out what songs they love to hear and sing along to.
The first block will be for 10 weeks from Tuesday 21 April through to Tuesday 23 June 2026. We’ll then pause over the school summer holidays and resume on Tuesday 1 September.
- Block 1 (10 weeks) – Tuesday 21st April – Tuesday 23rd June 2026
- Block 2 (6 weeks) – Tuesday 1st September – Tuesday 6th October 2026
- Block 3 (8 weeks) – Tuesday 27th October – Tuesday 15th December 2026
- Block 4 (8 weeks) – Tuesday 19th January – Tuesday 16th March 2027 (note – no class on 16th February 2027)
We are grateful for the support of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, which has made it possible for us to run this singing group.
For more information, phone 01349 862600 or email marisa.astill-brown@feisrois.org
