THE hunt has begun for angelic voices to join Oxford’s world-famous New College Choir.

Each year the choir recruits four or five new boys to join the choir.

About 20 families took their children to the college, in Holywell Street, to find out first-hand what life is like as a choir boy.

Julia Horsnell, from Boars Hill, took along her seven-year-old son Harry, a pupil in the pre-prep section of New College School.

He is pictured singing with 11-year-old chorister Horatio Holloway, left.

Mrs Horsnell said: “He will be auditioning for the choir in October so this was a great opportunity for him to see what’s involved — he loved singing with the big boys.”

Children can apply to audition in September for a place in the choir in 2010.

During the day, children met current choristers, watched them rehearse and got to try on the red cassocks worn by members of the choir before joining them for evensong.

Chapel administrator Nancy-Jane Rucker said: “We are trying to encourage as many boys as possible to think about singing in the choir.”