Singing on Eigg
31st March to 5th April 2012
Inspirational songs from around the world with BILL HENDERSON & KATE O’CONNELL. Both have many years of natural voice work (www.naturalvoice.net) and co-lead the Forres Big Choir www.forresbigchoir.info
For the sixth year running, Bill and Kate will be holding this popular singing week on the Isle of Eigg.
Wonderful songs, great island, great food, and good company.
“The island felt like my idea of paradise from the minute I arrived”...
“..exciting to do such a variety of songs .. I especially enjoyed the contrasting styles of Bill and Kate”
“What superlatives can I use for the food?”
“I loved the way the songs themed so well with the landscape: the seal song, sea goddess .. and the Gaelic..”
Have you dreamed of being cast away on a magical island of sunshine and rainbows, out walking on the machair (the Gaelic for a typical Hebridean low grassy pasture) or snug round a cosy fire, well-fed and warm, with a group of friends - who just keep wanting to sing?
This week is open to singers of all levels, and we will suit our repertoire to the ability
of the group. Teaching will be mostly by ear so you do not have to read music. We sing sacred and
secular harmony songs from around the world - from African and Gospel to Gaelic and Welsh, Beach
Boys and Beatles. Kate particularly loves songs which express our relationship to the natural world, but
may also throw in some pop or gospel or Balkan harmonies. This year she would like to focus more on
exploring the power of our natural voice and in creative vocal improvisation, a technique supported by
rhythm and harmony that she has developed over years of teaching at The Unicorn Natural Voice Camp.
Bill will no doubt share some Georgian favourites as well as at least one of his arrangements of
traditional Scots songs, a current passion. Anything else depends on what he is inspired by at the time.
“Inspirational songs from around the World” remains a useful strap line. Both Kate and Bill are interested
in exploring the potential of the voice for healing on a personal and social level.
The Easter workshop venue is Eigg's independent hostel, Glebe Barn: one of the best in the Hebrides: offering simple dormitary accommodation, clean, warm and comfortable, with plenty of hot water for showers! Perched on the hill side, it has an incredible panorama of sea, islands, mountain and skyscape. And rainbows. And - if you are lucky – sight of a sea eagle. Singing sessions take place around a fabulous woodburning stove in the hostel's lounge, so no worries about wild Hebridean winds, or a shower or two. Sessions are arranged so each afternoon is free for exploring this beautiful island. The weather so far has always brightened for good walking, heading off to the Singing Sands, or climbing curious An Sgurr.
Eigg is an extraordinary island, not only for it's magnificent natural beauty, but because of its special place as only the second island community buy-out, achieved just 10 years ago. This year there will be a chance to hear more about how the islanders achieved this and how the community works – including generating their own electricity from a combination of renewable sources.
The workshop is fully catered with scrumptious vegetarian meals (food supplied by the island shop, to help play our part in the local economy). Do not expect to lose weight on this holiday! With due notice, every sort of dietary need can be accommodated. Travel to the island is part of the adventure: ferries leave from Mallaig, reached by rail or road; (you can fly to Glasgow and catch a train).