Our history
Cairn Chorus began in 2007, created by the Moniaive Folk Festival after receiving significant arts funding from Dumfries & Galloway Council. Festival committee member Alyne Jones, already singing with Ali Burns’ Feral Choir, proposed forming a community choir, and fellow committee members Wendy Stewart, Sarah Keast, Moira McCrossan and Hugh Taylor became its founding organisers, with Ali Burns as founding musical director.
The new group was named The Singers Club, in tribute to Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, who had lived in Dumfriesshire, been members of Dumfries Folk Club, and once considered settling in Moniaive.
Under the musical direction of Ali Burns, the choir prepared for its first public performance at the 2008 Moniaive Folk Festival.
The choir changed its name to Cairn Chorus and appeared as such at the 2009 Folk Festival (pictured) where it received warm praise from Neil King, editor of Fatea Magazing who had made a 900 mile round trip to cover the festival. He wrote that he was particularly impressed by their arrangement of the Boo Hewerdine standard, "The Patience Of Angels". And added ‘If Last Choir Standing is looking for a real community choir, there's a village in Scotland where they might want to cast a glance.’
As the choir grew, Ali Burns moved on and was replaced by Kate Howard, whose world‑music focus and theatrical approach shaped the choir’s distinctive sound.
Today, Cairn Chorus remains a vibrant community choir rooted in the Cairn Valley, known for its adventurous repertoire, inclusive ethos, and joyful commitment to singing together.
