BOLTON’S baritones and basses are being called upon to help one of the town’s oldest singing groups.

Whether you are a secretive soprano or accomplished at acapella, the Bolton Choral Union needs you.

The 131-year-old society is looking for new singers to join its ranks in time for a new season of concerts being kicked off later in the year.

While there was once more than 100 strong voices taking to the stage, BCU is currently performing with near half those numbers, explained member Stuart Barnes.

He said: “There really is a need for new singers, particularly the men, basses and tenors.

“We are getting quite small in numbers and really need some more singers and that’s why we are throwing open our doors for an open rehearsal where anyone can come along and see if they fit in.

“Over the years fewer younger people have been coming. It seems as though the interests have waned. We are always bringing in professional singers and musicians on paid experience and are dedicated to that, especially younger performers, so it would be good to see some younger people joining the union as regular members.

“We have a very mixed programme; it’s not all dead composers, and a lot of interesting programmes coming up.”

The choir, which launched in 1887 and is one of the oldest established choral societies in the North West, has consistently put on successful concerts at its home in Victoria Hall and Bolton Parish Church.

Its first rehearsal of the season has been opened up for anyone to attend so they can join in and ‘sample the experience’

Held at St Andrew and St George’s Church in St George’s Street, Bolton, it starts at 7.30pm on September 9.

The first performance of the season takes place on November 12 in Victoria Hall and will be a Gala Charity Concert, in aid of Bolton Hospice.

It will see the BCU joined by the Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band, Bolton Youth Choir and tenor James Loynes, for a night described as ‘Last Night of the Proms meets Remembrance Day’.

Music includes excerpts from musicals like Carousel, Lion King and West Side Story, to well-known tunes including You Raise Me Up, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

BCU has a history going back to 1885 and still meets for rehearsal each Friday night from September to June.

This season the group will enjoy four public performances in November, December, March and June.

To find out more visit boltonchoral.org.uk.