A COMMUNITY choir will get Halstead hitting the high notes when it sets up in town.

The Big Sing, a choir initiative which has groups in 12 locations including Witham, Maldon, Rayleigh, Brentwood and Chelmsford, is launching a new group in Halstead.

The choir will be under the instruction of Big Sing tutor Daniel Ribbits and will take place on Tuesday mornings at the Empire Theatre, in Butler Road, starting on Tuesday.

Daniel Ribbits has experience leading choirs throughout Essex and Suffolk, and has performed on BBC Radio 2, Good Morning Britain and The One Show.

Having recently moved to the Halstead area, he is hoping to get the community to find their voices.

Big Sing was founded by Gemma and Howard Francis in 2011, and first performed at Witham Carnival, with 45 singers recruited and rehearsed in just six weeks leading up to the event.

Open to people of all ages and ability, the choirs do not audition, so you need not have previous experience in singing nor the world’s best voice.

The choir’s ethos is based around positive songs and giving people an opportunity to enjoy singing in a group.

They hope to help members grow in confidence, experience the thrill of performing on stage and also make new friends.

Choirs from the Big Sing have performed with a whole host of big names, including pop star Ellie Goulding and the Voice contestant Leah McFall, and have toured with one-time X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

Rehearsals are weekly, with the songs taught including pop, contemporary, Motown, soul and gospel music. They will take place from 10am to noon at the Empire Theatre in Halstead every Tuesday.

Each rehearsal will cost £7, payable at the sessions. For more information, contact Bernie Dawson on 07973 750738 or at bernie@big-sing.com