In 2016, Heather Macleod was a choir leader seeking a choir. The Soundhouse Organisation, with its mission to promote independent live music, was looking to fulfil its educational remit. Soundhouse Choir was meant to be!

Right from the start, Soundhouse Choir has been a big community choir and part of a much bigger picture.

ALL are welcome to add their voice and to be part of something very special – no previous singing or musical experience is required, just a love of music and a dash of give-it-a-go!

Everyone is heard, music is made, friendships are forged and much fun is had. Soundhouse Choir’s ripple effect of wellbeing and positive energy flows far beyond the rehearsal room or the stage.

The creative process isn’t prescriptive. The sessions have a relaxed and supported atmosphere and the songs are learned by ear with an instinctive feel. You’ll learn without realising and have a lot of laughs along the way.

Heather Macleod is not just a choir leader; her first love – harmony singing – has led to 30 years’ experience working as a singer, teacher, arranger and producer. She instinctively takes the choir in directions beyond the mainstream, embracing exciting and ground-breaking opportunities and super-cool collaborations along the way. Her creativity, reputation and connections mean pretty much anything is possible.

The experience is an exciting and creative joy ride; a choir for all voices, driven by dynamism, professionalism, good humour and musical inspiration. It has the heart of a community choir and the soul of a big band.

For Heather it’s the joy of bringing people together that lies at its heart, ‘Soundhouse Choir gives people a positive voice, when the need to express ourselves feels greater than ever.’

The result? A wide range of fantastic performances in some of Scotland’s most legendary venues, from their home city of Edinburgh, Greyfriars Kirk, Queens Hall, Usher Hall and The Scottish Parliament, to the streets of Glasgow, Shetland’s Mareel (and nearly Cuba!) – featuring a host of stellar live and recording collaborations along the way with Mark Bonnar, Stuart Nisbet, The Bevvy Sisters and Moishe’s Bagel.

COP26 inspired an extraordinary collaboration with Karine Polwart and Oi Musica, resulting in the viral video of Enough is Enough, the global participative wave of Let it Grow, and spectacular performances under Gaia in Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and with giant puppets Storm and Little Amal in Glasgow.

In the past year (2023) the choir was over 120 strong. They appeared at in the Usher Hall twice – with Edinburgh Sings! and Love Music in June, then Justin Currie and Blazin’ Fiddles on St Andrew’s Night in November. And they had the pleasure of singing at the opening of the Scottish National Gallery’s Scottish Collection.

Sign up by the term for weekly singing, plus the opportunity to be part of exciting creative projects. There’s always something great on the horizon!