But in its next talent spotting effort, the BBC will be placing the country's best loved choirs in the spotlight.

Mention choirs and many people will still be haunted by school memories of their own out-of-key warblings, performing to long-suffering parents at an assembly.

But, for some, that image of the school choir has failed to put them off singing their way into adulthood.

Across Northamptonshire, choirs are still going strong, with performances ranging from the works of Bach to those of Westlife, from classical to gospel styles.

The interest is there and it is this passion for song that the BBC is hoping to harness in its latest talent scouting exercise; a search for the nation's favourite choir.

The BBC has confirmed that the show, called Last Choir Standing, will run on BBC1 during the summer months and will involve a competitive search for the "nation's favourite choir," with one choir each week being forced to leave the show.

The Northampton Male Voice Choir was one local group invited to audition for the BBC show, in the hope that they would eventually be named the country's best-loved choir.

The choir is one of the longest running in Northampton, dating back to 1946, but it now boasts a membership of about 50 people, with ages ranging from 14 to 95.

Spokesman Mike Davis said the BBC came to film the choir's audition for the competition earlier this month, but they will have to wait until later this month to hear if they have made it through to the next round.
He said: "They hope it will do for choral singing what Strictly Come Dancing has done for ballroom dancing."

Mr Davis hopes the programme will help the group to attract new members, as men are notoriously difficult to recruit to choirs.

He said: "There is a problem in the culture that it isn't seen as cool or macho for boys to sing. We have to make an effort, as it is hard work to recruit members."

But there seems to be an attraction which keeps loyal members attending rehearsals.

Mr Davis said: "You get a lot of benefit from being taught to breathe properly and there is a real benefit in performing.

It is a million dollars, the feeling you get."

He admitted times had changed since he joined the choir in the 1950s.
"There was the great popularity of variety shows, and amateur concert parties were the thing to do.

Now that has changed, but what we have found has survived is enjoyment and a feeling of belonging to a brotherhood."

The choir meets on Thursdays at Kingsley Park Methodist Church.

Now led by musical director Peter Kalve, the choir is hoping to record a CD of its performances later this year.
Telephone Mike Davis on Northampton 753057.

Choir of All Saints' Church
When it comes to singing, the 90-strong All Saints' Church Choir is keeping up with a tradition which has spanned almost 1,000 years.

The choir, which is believed to have been founded in 1094, is soaring in popularity and now has a waiting list of children and adults keen to join the globe-trotting group.

The choir takes on regular tours and has travelled everywhere from the French Riviera to Switzerland, raising money to fund the excursions through events such as sponsored swims.

Later this year more than 100 people – choir members and supporters – will be journeying across the Atlantic to perform concerts in America and Canada.

Its director of music, Lee Dunleavy, said: "We have concerts in New York state, Connecticut and Toronto in Canada.

"We have five days in New York and we are doing three live broadcasts; two for American radio and one for a local TV station in New York. We will be singing mainly sacred music."

The choir is made up of separate choirs of boys, girls, teenagers and adults and, so far between them, they have produced seven CDs.

Several members have gone on to win music scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as the Royal College of Music.

Mr Dunleavy said: "The kids come from all different schools and the boys come four nights a week; that is quite difficult for them and it is a massive commitment.

"Touring is a good reward for them at the end of all that hard work. They tend to pick their favourite music when we are on tour."
www.allsaintsnorthampton.co.uk

Royal & Derngate Community Choir
The Royal & Derngate Community Choir may be one of the town's newest groups, but it has already witnessed a great deal of change in its two-year history.

When the theatre reopened after its multi-million-pound rebuilding programme, the choir was launched.

It started life as a group dedicated to gospel music, but has since broadened its scope of music.

It now has about 30 members, aged between 19 and 70.

Choir co-ordinator Janet Gordon said: "We sing a touch of gospel and a touch of Motown. We even performed in the recent play Firebrand, so we sample different styles of music.

"Primarily, we perform at the Royal & Derngate, but having said that, we have been asked to perform externally."

But, as with so many choirs, there is a difficulty in recruiting men.

Ms Gordon said: "With females, it is so easy because, with every performance we have, we attract a new recruit, but we find it harder to recruit men.

"But the few men we have in the choir are loyal, confident and love doing it."
Telephone Northampton 655733.