THEY are at the pinnacle of what they do and thousands come to watch their performances every year.

Now, on the run up to Christmas, Romsey Abbey is seeking new girl and boy choristers to join their famous choir.

George Richford, director of music, will be going into schools across the area recruiting up to 16 new girls and 10 new boys to join one of the many professional choirs that sing in the famous Abbey.

George said: “We are looking for boys and girls aged seven and above who love singing.

“No previous experience is required and it doesn’t matter if you aren’t a churchgoer.

“We take the raw talent of young girls and boys and transform them into little professional singers. That’s the big difference - we train, educate and develop youngsters to perform at a truly professional standard, week in - week out.”

In the past two years the choir has been on tour in the UK and to Italy, appeared over 10 times on BBC1 television, recorded two commercial CDs, sung for our very own ‘Royal Wedding’ and have participated in scores of concerts, hundreds of services and important events.

“The children are regularly performing to well over a 1000 people every month,” he added.

“Young girls and boys who just love to sing will find a friendly, supportive team of like-minded children who achieve extraordinary things every single week.

“Invariably our boys and girls do better at school with increased focus, attentiveness and for whom learning, revising and performing becomes second nature. For older boys and girls who are serious about singing and developing their music making, there is nothing comparable on offer anywhere around.

“Our boys and girls choirs are completely equal, and although they sing separately most of the time, combine for the really big services.”

The choir has just moved into new accommodation above the archway in the United Reform Church and can be heard rehearsing there most evenings, even in the town square!

The choir is one of the largest in the UK and we are really looking forward to the next phase as we welcome upwards of 20 new members with the newly formed Junior Girls Choir. There is also a training choir for younger boys and girls or those not quite ready to join the main choir.

Joining the choir is completely free and all choristers are paid a generous termly salary and enjoy annual tours and recordings.

Next year it is looking forward to its first live BBC radio broadcast - with over two million listeners! It will really put Romsey on the map and the Abbey Choir up there with the best of them.

Further information can be found at romseyabbeydom@gmail.com, phoning 07901339618, or by texting ‘choir’ to 80818.