Cast from BBC hit drama series Waterloo Road joined forces with local singers in Greenock today (Wednesday 29 May) to launch Scotland Sings 2013, an initiative developed to encourage people to sing in public, taking place for the second time on Saturday 22nd June 2013. The shows’ stars Carl Au, Rebecca Craven, Abby Mavers, Tommy Lawrence-Knight & Karl Tomlinson-Weaver hit all the right notes as they belted out a medley of tunes to mark the launch of the initiative. Members of the public can now log onto www.scotlandsings.co.uk to find, or create, singing events in their area.
Scotland Sings returns after a hugely successful inaugural campaign in November 2012 which saw almost 5000 people from singing groups across the country, take part to celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
Scotland Sings once again hopes to encourage people to honour Scotland as a singing nation and its rich singing traditions in a truly unique way, whether that be through starting a band, joining a choir or community singing group or getting together with friends to enjoy the series of singing events that will take place across Scotland, in locations including Edinburgh, Perth, Glasgow, Dundee and Shetland.
Trained singer Carl Au, who plays Waterloo Road bad boy, Barry Barry and has also appeared hit musical Jersey Boys in London’s West End, said, “I can’t encourage people enough to sing and I think Scotland Sings is a fantastic initiative. You don’t have to have an amazing voice to enjoy the experience of being part of a choir or singing group.”
He added: “If we can get more people out of the house, socialising, singing and having fun, then that’s what it’s all about and Scotland Sings does an amazing job promoting that. I’d really urge people to get involved and sign up to a Scotland Sings event in your area. It’s going to be fantastic!”
Supported by Year of Natural Scotland, Scotland Sings is coordinated by ‘Hands Up for Trad’, the organisers of The Scots Trad Music Awards and BBC Scotland Young Trad Musician of the Year.
Simon Thoumire, Creative Director of Hands Up for Trad, said: “We were blown away with the response to Hands Up for Trad’s Scotland Sings campaign last year, which just goes to show that there is huge appetite for singing and with such a variety of events on offer, there will be something for everyone to enjoy no matter where they are in the country or their level of ability.”
Simon added: “We have plans to take the campaign overseas and hope to make Scotland Sings a truly international event – we’re very excited about what the future has in store for Scotland Sings.”
The programme for June 22nd offers a spectacular mix of traditional and contemporary events that will showcase Scotland’s rich creativity. To find out more about Scotland Sings events taking place in your area please visit: www.scotlandsings.co.uk
To take part in Scotland Sings please contact: scotlandsings@handsupfortrad.co.uk
ENDS JUNE, 2013
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