Big Big Sing announces huge plans for Festival 2014 Glasgow

Big Big Sing is a UK-wide celebration of singing, encouraging the nation to start enjoying the health and well-being benefits of singing.  Following a full programme of events, workshops and flashmob choirs across the UK during 2014, Big Big Sing invites everyone, no matter their age or ability, to join in a spectacular free day of singing and fun at the Big Big BIG Sing at Glasgow Green Live Zone on Sunday 27th July from 8am to 9pm, as part of Festival 2014. 

On the same day that the Glasgow 2014 Marathon starts and finishes at Glasgow Green, Big Big Sing will be rousing the whole Live Zone with a host of singing activities, ‘Come and Try’ sessions, entertainment and performances for everyone.  At locations across the Green, there will be a Pied Piper enchanting the kids with songs and rhymes; a Musicals Marathon where you can join in singing favourite hits from the musicals; ‘Come and Try’ sessions teaching singing in different styles, including Gaelic mouth music, Indian singing and beatboxing; a tea song and dance for those who prefer a more sedate tempo; and Song Stages featuring performances by choirs from across the country.   As well as the packed programme of events, a cast of roaming performers - including Valkyries and a singing horse – will be entertaining kids and adults alike throughout the Green all day.

At 3.30pm, Big Big BIG Sing will take to the main stage and really get the party going, bringing the crowd together as one enormous choir to perform popular classics and learn songs from Big Big Sing’s Big Big Commonwealth Songbook, a collection of great songs from across the globe.

Big Big Sing’s exuberant team of choir leaders, led by Stephen Deazley and Eugene Skeef, will have everyone singing Commonwealth-style, with songs from Kenya, India, South Africa and Scotland and leading rousing renditions of classics including Pharrell Williams’ Happy, Bill Withers’ Lean on Me and hits by Jackie Wilson and Bob Marley.  They’ll be joined by the uplifting Soul Nation Choir, internationally renowned beatboxers Jason Singh and Bellatrix, and the brilliant Big Big Sing Band. Also performing will be the winners of Big Big Sing’s schools’ song writing competition: Loch Primary School sings Jump, Swim, Run and Shannon McLean, Evelyn Martin and Lucy Howie from Balfron High School perform Life’s a Game.  The afternoon will conclude with a unique mash-up of music from throughout the day, merging singing styles and traditions in a spectacular finale.

To complete the fun and bring the Big Big BIG Sing Day to a close, there will be a one-off sing-a-long screening of a surprise musical classic – more details coming soon!

Director of Big Big Sing, Svend Brown said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the whole fun Big Big BIG Sing to Glasgow Green as part of Festival 2014 in July - there truly is something for everyone and to hear all those people singing together, whether it be the Bob Marley classic 'Don’t Worry About a Thing' or one of the beautiful songs from the Big Big Commonwealth Songbook, it promises be an extremely happy and moving occasion.  Glasgow Green Live Zone welcomes everyone to come join in the 2014 experience. What could be more perfect? 

“All the Big Big Sing events we have had so far this year have been wonderful, and the people we have met who have taken part have been inspiring in the sheer enthusiasm they've shared with us. We know many of them already have their plans set to join us on the 27th for what is set to be a momentous day of fun and singing.”

Previous Big Big Sing attendee and member of Musselburgh’s Clark Community Choir, Irene Grant said:“Members of our choir attended the Big Big Sing in the Usher Hall in February.  We all came away buzzing with excitement at the atmosphere created on the day by Stephen and Eugene and the inspirational songs they taught us. We all had such a wonderful day and we will most certainly be at the Big Big BIG Sing in Glasgow on 27th - we have hired a bus for 35 people so we will be there in force!  We can’t wait for a whole day of singing and being happy.”

Big Big Sing is an initiative of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, and is set to be one of the highlights of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme.  The project is funded by Glasgow 2014, Creative Scotland, Glasgow UNESCO City of Music and the Spirit of 2012 Trust (Spirit) (set up by an endowment by the Big Lottery Fund). 

BIG BIG SING – HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The Big Big Sing’s online singing portal – www.bigbigsing.org – provides a wealth of materials and information for those looking to take up singing.  The site includes a searchable database of choirs, the Big Big Commonwealth Songbook with lots of learning and teaching resources, a guide on how to set up your own choir, a playlist of performances by choirs and singers from around the Commonwealth and details on all Big Big Sing events.

For further details on everything that’s happening at the Big Big BIG Sing Day at Glasgow Green Live Zone on Sunday 27th July visit www.bigbigsing.org and keep up-to-date with Big Big Sing on Facebook and Twitter.

Up-coming Big Big Sing Event Details:

Big Big Sing at Choir of the Year - Glasgow City Halls

Sunday 22nd June 10am - 11.30am; 2.30pm - 4pm

Box Office – www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Tel: 0141 353 8000

Standard: £5 Concessions: Free (booking fee may apply)

Refugee Week Singing Workshop – Glasgow City Halls

Sunday 15th June 3pm - 5pm

FREE

Big Big BIG Sing Day – Glasgow Green Live Zone, Glasgow

Sunday 27th July 8am – 9pm

FREE

Please visit www.glasgow2014.com/festival2014 or www.bigbigsingorg for more details.