A RECENT national survey claimed more people sing regularly in a choir than play amateur football and a Halesowen choir leader is urging local singers to help continue the trend.

Margaret Jones, who leads both Lutley Community Voices (LCV) and the Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir, is on the hunt for new members for her choirs, while she is also starting up a new singing group.

LCV was formed in 2012 and has since grown into a social choir of about 70 strong, with many members new to singing when they joined and their rehearsals start back again on Thursday, September 7, between 7.45pm and 9.15pm at Lutley Primary School, in Brookwilllow Road.

Margaret said: “The start of a new term would be an excellent time for new members to take the plunge – and we’re particularly keen to swell the ranks of men in the choir.

“We’ll be working towards performances at St John’s ‘Day of Song’ on September 30, and Dudley’s Festival of Remembrance on November 9, before a busy Christmas season.”

Margaret also runs a small daytime group, Shenstone Singers, for those who wish to sing without the pressure to learn parts or prepare for major performances.

“We sing popular songs – Abba and Beatles are favourites – mainly in unison,” she added. “We occasionally perform in the community, for example singing carols at Christmas, and will be joining LCV at the ‘Day of Song’ on September 30.”

Meetings begin on Friday, September 1, and will run each week between 10am and noon at Lifecentral Church, in Little Cornbow.

Margaret, who also sings with the Birmingham Festival Choral Society, is hoping to start a new Halesowen-based group for experienced singers in the coming months.

She said: “I’m looking for experienced singers who, like me, enjoy performing all kinds of music.

“This will be a small ladies choir called Shenstone Roses, who will come together for occasional weekend workshop sessions in preparation for performances of classical and popular repertoire.

“I’m looking for sopranos and altos who read music and are confident to sing in a small group to join me in this venture, with the aim of performing for the first time in the run up to Christmas.”

Anyone interested in joining one of Margaret’s singing groups can call her on 07761 849332 or email shenstonemusic@gmail.com, or to join Lutley Community Voices email membership@lutleycommunityvoices.co.uk.

For more information about the groups search Lutley Community Voices or Shenstone Music on Facebook.