The choir was formed following the Millennium Festival of Psalms held in Inverness in the year 2000. A meeting was arranged among those from the north of Scotland who took part in the Festival, to decide whether or not it was desirable for a four-part Psalm-singing group to continue. The decision, in the affirmative, was unanimous. Hence a group called "Highland Harmony Singers" was set up with a view to improving, and stimulating interest in, Psalm singing in the Highlands. The name stems from the fact that there is four-part harmony singing (male and female) and also the harmonisation of different denominations. This is also an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning, and enjoying, four-part singing. The object of HHS, quoting from their Constitution is “to promote a Gospel witness by mixed voice, four-part harmony singing of the old and new versions of the Psalms.”
HHS responds, where possible, to invitations to sing and to spread the Gospel, and, apart from their own engagements, have also joined with choirs from the south for the various Psalm Festivals and Recitals. Some previous singing engagements have been in Dundee, Glasgow, Thurso, Fort William, Dornoch, Inverness and Maryburgh. At these engagements a short message from scripture is given, either by a choir member or a guest speaker.
HHS is made up of Christians from all over the Highlands - from Wick in the north, to Fort William in the south, Kyle of Lochalsh and Gairloch in the west and Elgin and Hopeman in the east. There are over ninety on the choir roll, from different denominations, and an average of sixty attend the practices from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on the last Saturday of each month (apart from December) - held in North Kessock Free Church, kindly granted.
At the Psalmody Festival held in the Free North Church, Inverness on 1 September, there were over eight hundred present, with about ninety choir members. The occasion drew folk from all parts of the Highlands - some came from as far as Dundee, Edinburgh and Cumbernauld. It was quite amazing to see folk queuing to get into Church thirty minutes before the Festival was due to begin!
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