A LOCAL choir is set to return for the next season.

Following a summer break after their coronation celebration concert at Walcot Hall in early June, members of The Marches Choir are recommencing rehearsals on Monday, September 4.

This term the choir, under their conductor Alistair Auld, will be rehearsing for their upcoming concert to be held at St John’s Church, Bishops Castle on November 25. The choir will be performing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, a six-part classical masterpiece. Each part is a cantata, originally written for one of six feast days within the 12 days of the Christmas season.

Despite being written in six parts, Bach envisaged the work to be heard as one united whole with each section combining choruses, chorales, recitatives and arias.

A spokesperson said, “the Marches Choir are very much looking forward to mastering this challenging work over the coming months.”

The choir is currently welcoming new members of any gender or age. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30 pm, at Lydham Village Hall. Anyone interested in singing with the choir should contact Philippa Whitaker on 01588 680312 or email phwhitaker@fastmail.co.uk