LONG-ESTABLISHED Bingley choir Opus 44 will hold an open rehearsal this month to attract new members.

The award-winning upper voice choir wants to introduce its newly-appointed musical director Wil Jones to local singers.

Wil, from Wales, who is also a choral director for Leeds Cathedral, and the Artistic and Musical Director for Ermine Music in Lincoln, said he was passionate about music and music-making.

He said: “Opus 44 are a group of women who take singing seriously whilst having fun, and I’m looking forward to developing the choir as we perform in concerts and competitions.

“We already have a concert booked with Haworth Silver Band next June, and in March I am going to take the choir to my home town of Wrexham for a music festival that I run.”

Member Eleanor Jolley said: “We are women of all ages and backgrounds. We have had several mother/daughter combinations. The unique nature of Opus 44 comes from the wide variety of music which we sing, ranging from musicals to madrigals, and from traditional folksongs to testing modern pieces.”

The open rehearsal is for anyone who knows they have a good upper voice and wants to use it.

Wil said: “I just want people to bring their enthusiasm through the door. Someone might be in a community choir and want to try singing a different repertoire, or they might have moved to the area and want to find like-minded people, or might have sung in the past and now miss it.”

The open rehearsal will be held on Tuesday, September 10 at Bingley United Reformed Church. No need to book, but call Anthea Wood on 07860 112340 with queries. Opus 44 meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm.