Award winning BBC TV show The Choir has been giving a boost to vocal talent in our area ever since filming began on the third series of the show, which airs this autumn and covers the creation of a new community choir for South Oxhey.

For the latest series, The South Oxhey Community Choir has sung at Watford Colosseum for Watford Philharmonic Society’s Christmas concert and with the Hertfordshire Chorus at St Albans Abbey. This month, the group headed over to St John’s Wood to record a cover version of The Beatles track In My Life at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios.

Under the baton of conductor Gareth Malone, the choir were accompanied on the recording by a seven-piece chamber orchestra of world class standard musicians, including Belinda MacFarlane, who plays violin with The London Symphony Orchestra, pianist Liz Burley and drummer Jez Wiles.

Series producer Dollan Cannell says the choir were very excited to be recording at the famous venue.

“It was an amazing day for them and very exciting to be in the same space as The Beatles, Pink Floyd and all the major bands you know.” Each series of The Choir, has focused on a different aspect of choral performance and to date, the programme has received a Royal Television Society award and a Broadcast Award. The second series has been nominated for a BAFTA. The awards ceremony takes place this Sunday.

To hear The South Oxhey Choir in action, head over to South Oxhey Playing Fields on Bank Holiday Monday between 1pm and 7pm for the South Oxhey Festival featuring guest bands and a showpiece performance by the choir and local schools. See next week’s paper for an interview with Gareth Malone and members of the choir, plus further news on the line-up.

Details: www.southoxheyfestival.co.uk