
American choir prepares to join young local musicians in Stirling charity concert
An American women's choir has raised more than £18,000 in support of Scotland's music and social change charity, Sistema Scotland, as it prepares to perform in the historic heart of Scotland.
Voices from the Heart, from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are singing alongside the community chorus from Big Noise Raploch in a special concert at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling on Friday, June 27.
The 200-strong choir is known for its mix of soulful music from different traditions and its community work and some 80 members will travel to Scotland to perform later this month.
Founded in 1995, it brings together women from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts to rehearse, perform and share the joy of music.
The choir, based in New Hampshire, organises trips abroad combined with support for communities in the places they visit.
They previously raised money for youth charity Friends Forever and for organisations tackling domestic abuse in Ireland for a trip in 2001, and fundraising to clear a minefield in Croatia in 2007. They have also supported aid projects in Cuba and South Africa.
The 2025 tour of Scotland is in support of Sistema Scotland and its six Big Noise projects that support children, young people and communities through music and nurturing relationships in the areas of greatest need in the country.
Since starting in Raploch in 2008, the programme has grown to support around 4,000 children and young people in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling.
So far, the choir has raised $25,000 (£18,526) and money is still coming in.
The choir raised money from individual donations, and through events such as a community song night, raffles and selling handmade crafts.
The concert takes place at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, the site of James VI's coronation in 1567, on June 27.
Tickets are free and the choir will perform a mix of traditional American music, including African American spirituals, Native American pieces and modern classics such as Ain't No Mountain High Enough. They will also perform Scottish pieces including The Skye Boat Song, Flower of Scotland and Caledonia.
The choir will also sing at Iona Abbey on Iona, the Rockfield Centre in Oban, Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh, and the Portree and Brocadale Free Church of Scotland on Skye.
Joanne Connolly, Voices from the Heart director, said: 'Our music is upbeat, joyful and positive.
'We look for organisations to support that fit with our mission. Sistema Scotland empower women and children and build community through music. Their work is a wonderful fit. I looked at the website and I saw a picture of a little girl playing the violin. It really moved me because I am a violinist and my grandparents put a violin in my hand – and it is Sistema who put a violin in her hand.
'They also talk about how children from different schools and different neighbourhoods come together in the community. We think it is so important for children to have these different communities to link up to.
'Our group is amazing. We have 200 members who have done so much to raise money for Big Noise – everyone joined together to raise funds.'
Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland Chief Executive said: 'The power of music to bring people together, celebrate the human spirit and lift people's feelings is well know, and we are delighted to share this special concert with Voices from the Heart.
'We are incredibly grateful to them for choosing us as their charity this year, and for inviting our community choir in Raploch to perform alongside them. Not only will the money raised help young people across Scotland reach their potential through music, but the concert itself will celebrate our shared values and beliefs in music as a force for good in our society.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
a few seconds ago
- Scottish Sun
I met Ozzy Osbourne at his home after he'd quit boozing – he then offered me a beer at 10am, says Sun photo legend
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WANDERING the grounds of his Buckinghamshire mansion, Ozzy Osbourne turned to his friend Dave Hogan and said: 'Do you know what? I'd forgotten we even had this house.' It was 2006, and the Black Sabbath frontman and his wife Sharon had spent so much time filming MTV reality show The Osbournes in LA, they hadn't returned to the estate in Little Chalfont for several years. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Legendary Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon Credit: Getty 7 Sun photographer Dave Hogan reveals how the Prince of Darkness was one of the most down-to-earth celebrities he ever met Credit: Getty 7 Dave photographed Ozzy at his sprawling home in 2002 Credit: Getty Today, their pal — legendary Sun photographer Dave — reveals how Ozzy, who died on Tuesday aged 76, was one of the most down-to-earth, funny and welcoming celebrities he ever met in his long career. The snapper, affectionately known in the showbiz world as Hogie, recalls: 'That day, he really did make me laugh. "I was taking his picture for The Sun, but he didn't want the house shown as they'd been burgled there so didn't want to feature the actual property. 'Instead, we went into the grounds. He suddenly stopped, looked around and said how he'd forgotten they even owned it. 'It was the kind of thing he would just come out with.' Dave added of Ozzy, who revealed in 2020 that he had Parkinson's disease 'He was great company, a lovely man. 'There was no filter, he was just honest. He spoke what he thought and that was it.' Ozzy's family announced the heavy metal legend had died 'surrounded by love' at the Grade II listed mansion in Welders, Bucks, that they bought in 1993. Recently, the Osbournes built a 'rehab' wing on the sprawling estate, which included a health and welfare exercise studio, art studio room, pool house and spa. Hogie first met Ozzy — known as the Prince of Darkness — in Los Angeles in 1988. But when he arrived at the family's American mansion, he was stunned to find the star had chopped off his trademark, long, flowing locks. Ozzy Osbourne is seen in touching final video having breakfast with his family just two days before his death Describing his first encounter with the Black Sabbath icon, Hogie says: 'Obviously they were a huge band, but as heavy metal wasn't huge for The Sun, I didn't photograph him until the late Eighties. 'When he opened the door and had cut all his hair off, I was a bit shocked. But the pictures were great, he was amazing on camera, he knew how to perform.' Sharon was there too, together with Kelly, now 40, and Jack, 39, who were toddlers at the time. Hogie says: 'They were very welcoming and the kids were really cute. 'We started to chat but, after a little while, Sharon said that they had to go and pick their older daughter Aimee up from nursery. "The housekeeper was there, but they asked me to help keep an eye on the kids while they went to collect her. 'He kept pouring beer' 'They were just a normal, down-to-earth couple.' Hogie says that over the years, that never changed — but the dynamic did. He explains: 'I remember flying over to LA to do a shoot with them and the focus for the pictures then was Sharon. But Ozzy didn't care. "In fact he loved it. It was like he was her sidekick, her butler; whatever he was, they were a team. 'And within minutes of me being there, he said, 'Dave, do you want a drink?'. 'I knew he was a reformed alcoholic, so I thought it was a bit odd, but Sharon said, 'Just let him pour you a drink, he likes to pour drinks for other people'. It was about 10am and the last thing I wanted was a beer, but I said yes. 'And he opened a can and poured me this perfect pint. I couldn't drink it as I wouldn't have been able to do my job properly. 'But that didn't stop Ozzy. He kept pouring drinks of beer. They were all over the kitchen. He was the perfect host. Some people are not so welcoming, but he was amazing. He made you feel at home.' 7 Ozzy in 1988 after chopping off his trademark long locks Credit: Getty 7 Ozzy working out in the Eighties Credit: Getty Ozzy's issues with alcoholism and drug addiction began in the 1970s and got him booted from Black Sabbath in 1979. But he grew serious about his sobriety around 2014, after numerous failed attempts at rehab and recovery dating back to 1984. In a recent interview, he told The Sun that he once downed 28 gallons of booze to get through the Christmas season. Hogie says: 'I never saw him drinking. But even though he had stopped all of that, he was still up for a great time. 'I remember, after one MTV Awards, he got a group of people together to carry on partying. Imagine what a night out with Ozzy would have been like. Dave Hogan 'There was him and Grace Jones and a few others. Sharon said to me, 'I'm going home, I've given him £500 to go out. You go with him, you'll have a great time'. 'But I couldn't. I had to send the photos in from the night. 'But it is a regret — imagine what a night out with Ozzy would have been like.' Hogie pictured the rock 'n' roll legend when he was on stage, too, and says he was a 'born performer', adding: 'He was just great to watch, he would really come alive. I loved photographing him backstage, too. 'After he'd knocked all the drink and drugs on its head, he would be going for it with weights and sitting on his exercise bike. 'It really was a case of, 'Well done, mate,' to be able to change the way he did and try to focus on fitness instead of booze and drugs. 7 A waitress serves Ozzy and fellow rocker Slash in 2008 Credit: Getty 7 Ozzy with Sharon and kids Kelly Jack and Aimee in early Nineties Credit: Getty 'Despite how famous and successful he was, he was never flash.' Ozzy died just weeks after a farewell show at which he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on stage at Villa Park. Performing atop a throne, he told 42,000 adoring fans: 'You've no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart.' Some of his favourite acts also played, including Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Ozzy and his fellow original Black Sabbath members — Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward — had reunited for the first time in 20 years. Hogie says: 'What a legacy. And Sharon helped organise it, too. 'They were a wonderful couple. Ozzy was always there for his wife and she is going to miss him. 'There are not many people like Ozzy left in this world. A true legend. He is one of the greats. 'One of the people you remember where you were when he died. I'm proud I could call him a friend.'


Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Lando Norris praises Scottie Scheffler after The Open winner's 'unfulfilled' comment
The Open Championship winner Scottie Scheffler caused a stir at Royal Portrush by claiming he is 'unfulfilled' by his extraordinary level of success at the top of the golf world Formula 1 title contender Lando Norris has spoken out in support of Scottie Scheffler after the golf superstar's eye-catching comments made at last weekend's The Open Championship. The American lifted the Claret Jug for the first time with a comfortable victory at Royal Portrush, winning by four strokes over nearest challenger Harris English. It was Scheffler's fourth Major win and 22nd professional tournament success, having dominated golf since his breakout year in 2022. He has now spent 150 consecutive weeks as the number one ranked golfer on the planet and is almost 300 points ahead of second-placed Rory McIlroy in the Official World Golf Ranking. Aged 29, Scheffler is already fourth on the list of all-time top earners from the PGA Tour, having won £67,725,863 in prize money alone during his relatively short career to date, and his trajectory has been compared to that of megastar Tiger Woods. Still, he made it clear when speaking to reporters at The Open that he feels there is something missing. Scheffler caught the eye by saying: "Look at this week, for example. What's the best-case scenario? I win this golf tournament, and then I'm going to show up in Memphis, and it's like, 'Okay, listen, you won two Majors this year, what are you going to do this week?' Sign up to our free weekly F1 newsletter, Pit Lane Chronicle, by entering your email address below so that every new edition lands straight in your inbox! "If I come in second this week or if I finish dead last, no matter what happens, we're always on to the next week. The show goes on. Sometimes the feeling of winning only lasts a few seconds. You work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for a few minutes. It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. "To get to live out your dreams is very special, but at the end of the day, I'm not out here to inspire the next generation of golfers. I'm not out here to inspire someone to be the best player in the world because what's the point? This is not a fulfilling life. It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart." While those comments drew surprised reactions from many, they resonated with Norris. The McLaren racer is also a keen golfer in his spare time and, like Scheffler, has been open about his mental health ever since he first burst onto the scene in F1 back in 2019. "I quite liked what Scottie said," said the Brit, reflecting on his own short-lived high after winning his home race, the British Grand Prix, for the first time two weeks ago. "I respect that he's quite honest about his whole feelings about everything. It's just honest about what he wants. Not everyone has to say what everyone believes in and what everyone thinks should be correct or not correct. "I'm happy that someone that high up, achieving what he's done, he's performing to the same level that Tiger did in many circumstances. And that's pretty amazing to see him come out and say something like that. So I respect that a lot. And I related to a lot of it in many ways, which is cool. "It's not a bad attitude, it's just his own way of achieving what he achieved. And I think you have to respect something like that. I found it, I admired that kind of thing. I love golf... I still support Rory more than anyone, the Brits. I thought it was fascinating and cool to see someone performing at such an incredibly high level come out and just say what he did."


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Gareth Ainsworth doubles down on Shrewsbury exit as Gillingham revolution takes shape
INTERVIEW: Gareth Ainsworth is relishing "the journey" he has embarked on with Gillingham, who he joined late last season following his shock departure from Shrewsbury Gareth Ainsworth has long been at peace with his shock call to quit Shrewsbury and now he's ready to rock Gillingham's world. The 'Wild Thing' - lead vocalist of The Cold Blooded Hearts - requires no introduction in EFL managerial circles. During 10-and-a-half years at Wycombe, his heavy-metal football yielded exceptional results, propelling Wanderers from the fourth tier of English football into the Championship. And following two short-lived spells in west London (with QPR) and Shropshire, he wants to run it back. Ainsworth said ahead of next week's League Two opener at Accrington Stanley: "I just want my players to feel like they belong to something. When we look at football, we're in a privileged position compared to other walks of life. "Gillingham's identify was getting a little bit muddled up with changes of personnel, both players and managers. We want to bring that identity back, this summer has been a big mental shift of the whole place." Ex-Shrewsbury midfielder Jamie Tolley accused Ainsworth of "promising the world but delivering nothing" when the 52-year-old left the New Meadow for Priestfield in March. But the long-haired gaffer makes no secret of the fact the ambitious pitch from Gillingham's American owners Brad and Shannon Galinson ignited the fire within. Ainsworth certainly knows how to get a place bouncing, his band's latest gig was just a few weeks ago in Soho, and he plans to front an electric Kentish revolution. When asked if he now feels pressure to vindicate his Shrewsbury departure, he said: "No, not at all. "Managers are restricted in what they can say with their contracts, I wish I could have said a lot more. "My justification for coming to Gillingham sits well with me, no problem at all. "I'm on a journey and I bought into the journey at Shrewsbury, I wish it went differently, it was a nice place to live. "People will laugh and say I'm not loyal but you've got the wrong guy, I don't need to prove anything to anyone." Ainsworth was such a coup for Gills, the bookies have them among the favourites for promotion. He isn't buying that, however, adding: "It's flattering but I don't know where the substance in that has come from. We haven't made £1million signings, we've signed three players. "Thank you but we're focusing on the journey, it's a two-year project centred around improving, the next level is way down the line for me." Ainsworth's ranks have been bolstered by the capture of ex-Burnley and Stoke City striker Sam Vokes and he's also optimistic he'll get Bradley Dack fit and firing. He continued: "We should be seen as underdogs, just like we were at Wycombe. Age is irrelevant to me, if you are good enough, you're good enough. If you look at the history of my success, it's come with experience. "Adebayo Akinfenwa, the partnership we had at Wycombe, Craig Mackail-Smith, Nathan Tyson, Marcus Bean, Sam Saunders, Joe Jacobson, Matt Bloomfield, the list is endless. "The owners have brought me in and told me to manage how I want. It was a really good move getting me in early so I could look over the team for the last few games [nine] of the season. "They just want success, they enjoy winning and the thrill of it - so that's what we're going to try and do."