A POPULAR community choir is preparing to hit a high note as it celebrates its tenth anniversary.

The Big Sing, founded by Howard and Gemma Francis in Witham, will mark the milestone birthday by encouraging people to reconnect with community choirs.

Since 2011, Howard and Gemma have launched choirs in Essex, Kent and Warwickshire, and are keen to emphasise that singing can bring everyone together after the pandemic.

Gemma said: “We all know that many people across the UK have felt isolated and have found the past 18 months a significant challenge to their mental health.

“We have seen that by gathering together, singing together and sharing life together we have been able to build deep bonds that have provided far more worth than simply a singing group.

“We have seen people find hope and connection in the midst of real suffering.”

The Big Sing has performed with famous faces such as Ellie Goulding, London Community Gospel Choir and Leona Lewis.

Now it is using the end of restrictions as a chance to celebrate its ten-year anniversary.

Before establishing the choir, Howard wrote many of the London Community Gospel Choir hits and toured regularly with artists such as Alexander O’Neal and Mica Paris.

He has also performed with artists including Westlife, Blue, Will Young, Gloria Gaynor, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Alesha Dixon and Des’ree.

Howard said: “Music has the power to unite people across communities.

“Our choirs reach out to all ages – babies, kids, teens, adults and grandparents – and singing has helped our members overcome depression, isolation, loneliness, illness and provided new friendships and a real sense of community.

“We are more than just a choir – we are a family.”

In addition to the choir, the couple also founded the Big Sing SOUL, a charity which aims to help people in the community who are physically unable to travel to the venues where the choirs rehearse and perform.

Through the charity they have supported schools, nurseries, disabled groups, care homes and other vulnerable people.

The choir is celebrating with a large family event at Heybridge Swifts Football Club on Sunday. with performances from the choir, Tiny Sing sessions, pony rides, bouncy castles and more.