[ ClassicalX ] TV star has choir walking on air!

A choir will mark its golden jubilee on a high note after landing celebrity Aled Jones to perform at its anniversary concert.

The TV star is set to wow audiences when he appears with Hartlepool Male Voice Choir at one of the town's top entertainment venues in the summer.

The choir, which celebrates 50 years of making music this year, approached Aled, who present's the BBC's Songs of Praise, to perform in their golden jubilee concert and were delighted when he agreed.   He will star in the event at the Borough Hall on the Headland in June, and organisers are expecting the night to be a sell-out.

Duncan Graham, choir chairman, said: "We set our stall out to do a celebrity concert.   I got in touch with his agent last year and asked if he was available and got a reply saying this is the sort of thing he likes to get involved with.   It is a bit of a coup for us, I'm really pleased."

Welsh Aled, 38, who found fame in the 1980s when he sang Walking in the Air, recently notched up a number three chart record with Terry Wogan singing Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth.

He will perform two solo spots and sing with the rest of the 55-strong choir in the concert on Saturday, June 20, at 7pm.

The concert will be just weeks after former Smiths frontman Morrissey plays at the Borough Hall on Friday, May 20.   Mr Graham added: "First we have got Morrissey raising the profile of Hartlepool, and here is another international name.   I hope we will fill the Borough Hall with about 800 people."

The choir also hope the chance to sing with Aled will help swell their numbers as part of its search for new singers.

Prospective members, in particular top tenors and baritones, are invited to attend their first rehearsal on Friday, January 9, in The Corner Flag, Hartlepool United, at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the jubilee concert will go on sale from February 1. They will cost £15.

Source: Peterlee Mail