SINGERS from an Oxford choir are celebrating hitting all the right notes after two years of success.

The Oxford City Singers was set up in January 2008 and has been raising money for charity with appearances across the city.

Founder and director Michelle Anthony, 26, said: “We have had an amazing two years, with hugely successful concerts and charity events.

“I never expected we would have so many members when I set the choir up.

“In fact, my partner told me that he was worried I’d be left standing on my own when I told him I was starting a choir. Now we have well over 100 members.”

Miss Anthony, an events assistant at Oxford University, said she had wanted to create a choir where no-one would be turned away, whatever their singing ability.

She said: “So I advertised in the Oxford Mail, and then 90 people turned up to the initial meeting. I was only expecting around 20.”

The 140-strong choir practises every Thursday evening, and true to her word, there are still no auditions.

Miss Anthony said: “I think that’s why it’s so popular really, there is no pressure on anyone and you don’t have to come to every rehearsal. You can just fit it around your own life.

“Every rehearsal is such good fun and we all have a laugh. The emphasis is on not applying any pressure and just having a good time.”

Last week, the choir was the official choir for the postponed Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert.

Miss Anthony said: “That was fantastic. It was a shame the date had to be changed, and it was a little bit odd singing carols after Christmas, but we definitely gave it our all.

“I was very proud of everyone involved.”

They also sang carols at Oxford Castle in December and ran a Christmas concert to raise money for homeless charity Oxford Poverty Action Trust.

But the choir currently only has only 10 male singers.

Miss Anthony, of Mill Street, West Oxford, said: “We are always looking for new members, so people can just drop along to see us on a Thursday at St Michael’s Church in Cornmarket.

“That especially goes for any men who enjoy singing. People can just come along and if it’s not for them, they never have to come back.

“Yesterday, a woman from the choir thanked me for starting up the choir. She said she never would have dreamed of joining if she’d had to audition, but was having an absolute blast.”

The choir sings a selection of pop, folk and gospel songs.

Songs members will practise this term include Abba’s Thank You for the Music, Wouldn’t It Be Nice by the Beach Boys, and a medley from Grease.

  • For more details about the choir, log on to the website oxfordcitysingers.com