Bill Henderson and I combined our strengths in 2004 to create a community choir in Forres. We have about 50 members from along the Moray coast, Inverness to Elgin. Bill and I are both long time associates of the Findhorn Foundation and members of ‘the natural voice practitioners’ network, an organisation that believes everyone can sing. Choirs bring people together in a unique way, promoting health, wellbeing and community.

There are no auditions and learning is by ear. We sing inspirational harmony songs from around the world, from the Beatles and Beach Boys to sacred Russian church music and African songs. We are not a performance choir but do sing regularly for community events. I have watched over the years non-singers develop their confidence and make a beautiful sound.

When people sing in harmony they cannot fight — it’s as simple as that.

Kate O’Connell