An uplifting concert of Scottish and American music performed by Voices from the Heart, USA and Song Tribe, Edinburgh vibrant community choir.
Don’t miss an evening of fun and music performed by two fantastic choirs:
Voices from the Heart from New England , USA was founded in 1995 by Joanne Connolly, Voices from the Heart is a 200-voiced women’s alternative chorus located in Portsmouth, NH. We come from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts to rehearse, perform and share the joy that comes from making music together.
Voices from the Heart is a community of women drawn and bound together by the shared love of music. In addition to our spring and fall concerts, we perform in small groups for special community events, and for memorial services honoring Voices members who have passed away. We knit comfort shawls for members going through challenging times, we raise money for charitable causes, we share news through our monthly newsletter and we get together for hikes, parties and community celebrations. We talk, we laugh and we cry together in an environment of trust and friendship.
Every few years, we journey to another land to bring a musical message of goodwill and celebration. We invite you to learn about our unforgettable trips to Ireland, Croatia, Cuba and South Africa.
Joanne Connolly, Director of Voices from the Heart
“Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” Joanne calls to us at the beginning of every Monday night rehearsal in the sanctuary of old South Church in downtown Portsmouth. She stands at the grand piano in front of the altar with her microphone headgear looking like Britney or Madonna with water bottle in hand.
Women from near and far with varying levels of musical ability congregate weekly to fall under Joanne’s musical spell. Joanne believes everyone can sing, and puts her belief to work. She reminds us regularly to “sing for yourself,” no auditions are necessary. Joanne is part Peter Pan and part Wendy, and we are all her precious singers together on a sweet adventure.
When it comes to introducing new and sometimes challenging music, Joanne is a master teacher and compassionate world citizen. The music she chooses reflects her love of freedom and justice.
Joanne reaches out to all of us in a kind and loving way, and supports us to do the same for each other. She is our gift and we give thanks.
SongTribe, is Edinburgh’s vibrant community choir with a big heart and soul!
SongTribe started in October 2015 and we are led by our fantastic founder and musical director, Ali Burns. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at Old Saint Paul’s Scottish Episcopal Church, near Edinburgh Waverley train station, and perform a couple of times a year, generally raising money for a named charity close to our hearts.
Ali Burns, Musical Director of SongTribe, is one of the UK’s leading Natural Voice Choir Leaders and a songwriter and arranger who loves to write for community choirs – songs with lush, beautiful harmonies and simple text that are easy enough to learn by ear but satisfying and special to sing. Many of her songs have found their way into the repertoire – and hearts – of singers across the UK, and increasingly the USA, New Zealand and Australia. Her work is published by Faber, Sing Up! and Oxford University Press.
