Join us at Symphony Hall on Sunday 14 July for our Big Sing Day! In collaboration with Black Voices, we’re delighted to be inviting choir leaders and members to partake in a day of music making led by 3 choral experts in our world-renowned concert venue, Symphony Hall.

What is the Big Sing Day?

B:Music’s hugely successful mass singing project Community Spirit has been bringing together local community choirs since 2009. Involving singers from all ages and backgrounds, this project is delivered in partnership with B:Music Associate Artists ‘Black Voices’, who bring their extensive vocal expertise and passion to our sessions. Community Spirit aims to celebrate the diversity of our city, enhance wellbeing, and forge new connections and friendships.

While a full-scale, revitalised Community Spirit project will be returning in 2025, this year we would like to extend a special invitation for your choir to be a part of our one-off community choir day at Symphony Hall this Summer. The Big Sing Day on Sunday 14 July 2024 will provide a unique opportunity for both choir leaders and members to connect, develop new skills and, most importantly, share in the joy of singing together.

For this unique day B:Music has invited some of the most skilled and respected choral leaders in the UK to share their individual approaches and expertise – including Liz Swain, Ken Burton and a member of the CBSO choral team.

Key Information

Choirs of all abilities and styles welcome

Choir leader workshops in the morning led by industry professionals Liz Swain and Ken Burton

Mass choir rehearsal + performance in the afternoon

Free to access

Venue: Symphony Hall

Sunday 14 July, 10am to 5pm

Email development@bmusic.co.uk to register interest in your choir taking part in our Big Sing Day

Schedule

Morning Session 10am-12pm

Choir Leading Workshop for choir leaders led by Liz Swain, Ken Burton and a member of the CBSO Choral team.

Afternoon Session 2pm-5pm

Big Sing session (involving all choirs) led by our 3 guest tutors.

Meet the Professionals

Liz Swain is an internationally recognised solo and choral vocalist and choral director, rapidly becoming a mainstay of the UK’s burgeoning choral scene.

Originally a saxophonist with a history degree and ambitions in archaeology, Liz started singing in 2000 at a student jam session. From then on she was hooked, and went on to graduate with a MMus from the Guildhall’s renowned Jazz Department as a vocalist in 2003.

She discovered a love for choirs and group singing soon after and is an accomplished choral director, ensemble vocalist and arranger – pushing the boundaries of the British choral scene.

She is now known for her work across a range of genres including jazz, classical, pop, gospel, funk and hip hop, directing and performing at some of the world’s best-known concert halls and venues. For more information, please visit her official website - Liz Swain | Vocalist and Choral Conductor.

Ken Burton is a music creator (both on page and record), director, performer, educator, and judge. His music is performed around the globe on stage and screen. He is known for his breadth of music experience and bringing different musical worlds together. His most common output is in the field of sacred music.

Ken Burton directs several choirs and has conducted several orchestras and bands. He directs: London Adventist Chorale, Croydon SDA Gospel Choir, and for broadcast, recording and film work has a range of ensembles he contracts: Adventist Vocal Ensemble (AVE), Voquality Singers, Vocal Creation.

As well as his regular and guest conducting, he is well known as a workshop leader and regularly directs workshops in Europe. For more information please visit his official website - Home | Ken Burton.