THE Scottish construction sector’s very own choir is set to make its public debut this Christmas as it prepares to hold a festive concert in aid of two charities.
Launched by Claire Rosset and Molly Armstrong, both of BakerHicks, in May this year, Building Harmony Choir sought to give construction professionals an outlet to destress and get to know one another without the pressure sometimes found at more traditional networking events.
The 20-strong choir – which was largely made-up of beginners – has found its voice and will take to the stage at Glasgow city centre’s impressive Adelaide Place Baptist Church on December 12 at 7pm in aid of Marie Curie and Cumbernauld Action for the Care of the Elderly (CACE).
“I won’t lie, we are all still quite nervous about our first performance – but it’s definitely a nervous excitement!” Claire told Project Scotland. “I think that the singers would agree that the more we sing together, the more the confidence has grown – to the point that we will have a few little solo parts in the concert, which I am very much looking forwarding to!”
The bi-weekly Building Harmony Choir rehearsals have featured some innovative music choices, with Claire and Molly using their own experience in choir singing to craft some well-known hit songs into choir variations.
With this in mind, Project Scotland can reveal that the Christmas concert is set to feature hits from the likes of Metallica, Guns and Roses, The Killers, Foo Fighters, Fleet Foxes, and the theme song from a ‘well known’ video game – as well as further surprises. The second half will contain more traditional Christmas tunes.
“The majority of the songs have been arranged specifically for the Building Harmony Choir, leaning on our specific voices, balance, and skills,” Claire added. “There are certainly some surprises up our sleeve which we will keep to ourselves until the night but, believe me, it will be particularly special!”
Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £7 for children, with complementary refreshments at intervals. All funds will go towards Marie Curie and CACE.
“Marie Curie and CACE were chosen as these are very close to the hearts of our own members,” Claire explained, before telling how Molly has volunteered at CACE for a number of years. The charity works to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of older people in and around the Cumbernauld area. Michael Kenny, one of the choir’s tenors, is part of Marie Curie’s facilities management team, and has seen first-hand the tremendous work the charity does in supporting patients with terminal illnesses and their families, as well as helping to fund life-saving research.
Companies can help by providing sponsorship to help offset the cost of the venue and refreshments – ensuring as much money as possible can go to the two great causes. If you’re interested in helping out, get in touch with Claire at Claire.Rosset@BakerHicks.co.uk. Alternatively, just coming along will also go a long way in helping the charities.
“It would mean a huge amount to all of us,” Claire said, when asked how much it would mean if the country’s construction sector came together on the night to celebrate our industry. “We are demonstrating how working together as a team – cooperating, listening to each other, and blending our skills – can build something beautiful, which is what our industry is all about.”
There is still time to join the choir ahead of the concert. Rehearsals take place in the Baptist Church at Adelaide Place and the BakerHicks Glasgow office. For more details, visit the Building Harmony Choir LinkedIn page.
Tickets for the Building Harmony Choir Christmas concert can be purchased here, with all welcome, regardless if you’re a construction professional or not.
