Blackburn choir to perform at Olympics (From Daily Echo)

Blackburn choir to perform at Olympics

10:00pm Friday 8th June 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News By Lisa Woodhouse, Assistant picture editor

Blackburn Youth Choir will perform at the Olympic Park

A BLACKBURN choir has been chosen to perform at the Olympic Games.

Blackburn Youth Choir have been selected to entertain the media and the athletes in the Olympic press village for the London 2012 games.

The 46-strong choir have been allotted a full hour’s performance on Tuesday, July 31.

They have also been offered the same opportunity to perform at the opening of the Paralympic games later in the summer.

The mixed choir, which ranges from age 11 to 18, meets at Wesley Hall in Blackburn every Wednesday evening.

Choir founder Gill Fourie, who started the choir two years ago, said: “We are really proud to have been selected. We are aiming to take around 30 youngsters and we are looking forward to taking advantage of the experience.

“We are hoping to sing around eight to 10 songs. We sing quite modern songs and we have some very talented children.

“I think once we know what children are going and we know which personalities we will be taking, we will decide on the songs then.

“We are extremely excited and very proud. The emails from the parents are congratulating the children and their achievement. 2012 looks like a great year for them.”

The choir rehearses once a week – but this is expected to increase nearer to the performance.

Michelle Ormerod, choir manager, said: "We want to raise money to cover the rental cost for the hall. If we can reduce the fee that the children pay we can open it up to more children.”

The choir is unable to directly raise money to cover the travel and accommodation for the trip to London due to Olympic Games rules.

Gill said: “We do a whole mixture of songs – such as songs for the shows, modern and pop songs and songs with lots of movement.

“For the Olympics, we will be doing feel good factor songs.

“We were all very excited when we heard the news. It has been in the pipeline for some time. The buzz of the place should be amazing.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children and something they will never forget. They work really hard and they deserve the reward.”

The choir is open to anyone and more boys aged between 11 to 18 are welcome to join.