Oil workers and accountants downed their tools last night and picked up song books instead as preparations began for the north-east’s biggest ever amateur choir competition.
Businesses and social clubs have rushed to put together teams of their best singers to begin training for the special charity fundraiser that will uncover the region’s sweetest sounds.
North-east singer Fiona Kennedy Clark OBE, internationally-renowned composer Paul Mealor and Dr Roger Williams MBE, former master of chapel and ceremonial music at the University of Aberdeen, have all signed up as judges, and will pick the winners at the Beach Ballroom next May.
Each group will be mentored by a team of experienced professionals on their musical journey, before they take part in the competition and a mass concert next year.
From oil firm BP and accountants Anderson, Anderson, Brown to the Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside, dozens of companies and clubs have expressed interest.
And last night, the amateur singers turned up at VSA’s activity centre on Broomhill Road to begin their training – with the first exercise simply smiling as wide as possible.
Lead by Dr Williams and former Albyn School director of music Laura Pike they also tried their hand at ‘Happy Birthday’ and heard all about the health benefits of singing.
They will now have until the competition to learn two songs, either contemporary or classical, to prove they have the most angelic singing voices.
All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to local social care charity, VSA, which is also organising the weekly practice sessions.
Fundraising co-ordinator, Cristine Vettese, said the competition was already hotting up and that she was hopeful there could even be a small performance before Christmas.
She said: “It was wonderful to have such a great turn-out and you can see people are enjoying being involved.
“I think that it shows that people are open to trying new things and it will be interesting to see how it progresses.”
Organisers are still urging friends, families and work colleagues of all singing abilities to form groups of between 12 and 15 to take part.
To sign up e-mail fundraising@vsa.org.uk