Following the success of our Arts & Well-being Festival, we’re excited to announce a free weekly Community Choir starting Tuesday 18 March, running for 12 weeks. 

Led by the talented Fletcher Mathers and Gordon Dougall, our choir welcomes everyone. No need to read music or have prior experience – we’ll pick up the music by ear, following our choir leaders as they guide us through the words and melodies.

• Well-being: Experience the joy of music, elevate your mood, and enhance cognitive functions.
• Health benefits: Singing can boost your immune system, reduce stress, and improve lung function.
• Community connection: Meet new people, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.
• Have fun!
• No Experience Needed!

• Start Date: Tuesday, 18 March 2025
• Time: 7.45pm – 9.15pm
• Duration: Every Tuesday for 12 weeks
• Cost: Absolutely free!
• Location:  Biggar Corn Exchange

Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.

• A relaxed and welcoming space
• Physical & vocal warm-up:
  • Each session will begin with a light physical warm-up, designed to meet the abilities of all.
  • We will then move on to a vocal warm-up which will include breathing exercises to increase lung capacity and diaphragm strength, along with activities to develop the muscles of the face and the tongue.  All parts of the warm-up will be accompanied by live music.
• A friendly space: We will also use fun exercises to allow you and the musicians to get to know one another. Every session will have a social break for the group to socialise and get to know one another.
• No need to read music: No music notation will be used in the repertoire, although you may use whatever technique helps you best remember your part. The repertoire will be chosen by the group and leaders.  We’ll have lyric sheets to help when needed – but no sheet music – just listening, singing, and enjoying!
• Loads of fun!

Biggar Corn Exchange Trustees would like to thank the National Lottery Awards for All for funding the choir.

Fletcher is a successful singer/actor who has worked in the entertainment business for 40 years. She has performed in London West End musicals and has been lead vocalist for bands including The Pasadena Roof Orchestra in the USA. She is famously known in Scotland as being the voice of Scotrail, where her dulcet tones have been invading our space on the railways for 20 years. Fletcher has worked extensively for National Theatre Scotland and is Project Director for Limelight Music. She has been a passionate advocate for the creation of a choral group in the Clydesdale Area for many years and is delighted to see the formation of this new venture. 

Gordon is a multi-award-winning composer, musical director and songwriter. He started his career at the age of 18 with The Young Lyceum Edinburgh before being signed by Warner Chappell Music at the age of 20. His songs have been covered and sung by Paul Buchanan (Blue Nile), Maggie Reilly (Mike Oldfield), Elaine C Smith and The Average White Band to name a few. Gordon was Sir Michael Boyd’s in house composer, with Craig Armstrong (Love Actually) at The Tron Theatre for many years, where he was also musical director. He served as a voice coach for the BBC and has been called into service many times to coach well-known actors who needed help singing in films, television programmes and theatre productions. He was also composer for The National Theatre of Romania, creating choirs and vocal groups from the acting company members, for them to improve the singing quality in their theatre productions. He is delighted to have been asked to be part of the Biggar Corn Exchange Community Choir.