A community choir run by the Department of Education and Children’s Music Service is planning two Christmas concerts.
 
The Friday Lunchtime Choir meets at the Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, for half an hour a week.
 
Its 60-strong membership ranges from young mums and dads to retirees and includes people from a wide range of professions, including people from the legal profession, the finance sector and shop workers and managers. Many had never sung before they joined.
 
The choir has already performed low-key end-of-term and charity concerts.
 
This Christmas will see its biggest challenge yet – singing at the Gaiety Theatre during the Salvation Army’s annual carol concert on Sunday 2nd December.
 
Tickets are just £1 and can be bought from the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre box office in advance or on the door.
 
The second and more informal concert will be held at the Salvation Army Citadel itself on Friday 14th December from 1.30pm to 1.45pm. The 15-minute programme will include well-known festive music (including carols for the audience to join in with) and some upbeat numbers and lesser-known Christmas music. Admission is free but a collection will benefit Hospice.
 
Maggie Richardson, Head of Music Service and the choir's conductor, said: ‘The choir is sounding great and is now ready to tackle more challenging music than in previous years. We only have 30 minutes a week to rehearse but I'm delighted with how well we’re progressing in that time.’
 
New members are always welcome and the choir’s first rehearsal of 2013 will be on Friday 18th January at 1.15pm.
 
Maggie said: ‘We welcome singers of all voices but in particular we need some more basses. We will be starting a whole new programme of music in January so it's a good time to join. No auditions are necessary and every rehearsal includes elements of vocal training. The emphasis is on performing satisfying music well but we don't take ourselves too seriously.’
 
For more information on the choir, ring Maggie on 686555 or visit the Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friday-Lunchtime-Choir/322271041204990.