Back where they belong, members of the South Oxhey Choirs (SOC) are making a triumphant return to town, following successful concerts at prestigious London venues such as the Central Hall in Westminster and the Roundhouse in Camden.

“This is what we were made for,“ says choir member Gill Clint. “Although we have had a fantastic and exciting first two years, including our BBC TV series, playing in Camden and Westminster and recording at Abbey Road, we are now back home.

"We plan to perform with and for our community as much as possible in this coming year and are looking forward to our next home performance at Watford Palace Theatre as part of the Watford Live! Festival.“

Under the leadership of Simon Wookey, who took over the baton from Gareth Malone last year, SOC will perform all the numbers we know and love from their TV appearances in The Choir: Unsung Town, as well as some new ones.

Simon founded the choir Cantiamo and as a tenor sings with many choirs in London and around the country, including the Holst Singers.

“I think it helps that I sing in choirs myself,“ says Simon. “Being a practicing singer as well as a conductor, I can see it from both sides. I love the breadth we’re able to achieve in the South Oxhey Choirs. My task is to find a repertoire that suits the people that sing in it.“

The choirs' repertoire now encompasses artists from Annie Lennox to Vivaldi, taking in classical, pop and gospel. Such expressive styles should work well in the theatre auditorium.

“I'm excited each time the choir performs anywhere, but having been in the audience at the Watford Palace Theatre quite a few times, it will be especially intriguing this time to be performing on the other side of the curtain,“ adds choir regular Chris Rogers. “I've taken part in choral events at a number of venues in the past, including the Royal Albert Hall, but this will be the first time that I will have appeared at an authentic theatre.“

Terry Pettitt, another long-serving member of the choir, says the chance to be with the community is what it’s all about. “As much as we love performing in amazing venues in London and around the South East, performing for our friends, families and neighbours is definitely what gives us the biggest buzz. We’ve been working hard to make this show bigger and better than the ones we’ve done before and I think the choir is sounding the best it ever has.“

The South Oxhey Choirs perform at Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford on Thursday, June 16 at 7.30pm. Details: 01923 225671