More than 200 amateur singers are being offered the chance to take part in a massed choral concert at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre.

The event, Come and Sing 2009, is in aid of The Art Room, a charity which works with children experiencing difficulties at school.

It is the fourth time the concert, which will take place at the Broad Street venue on Saturday, February 7, has been held, and organisers are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the cause.

Organiser Leonora Pitt said: “A woman from the Art Room came to a concert I was singing in and suggested doing a sort of come-and-sing event, and it seemed like a good idea. If you’re going to do it, you have got to do it properly and the Sheldonian turned out to be the only space that worked.”

People will pay to take part, then spend a day in rehearsals with conductor Robert Dean and the Oxford Sinfonia, ready to perform a concert the same evening.

Those taking part need to be able to read music.

Mrs Pitt said: “It is really for people who enjoy singing. Last year’s concert raised more than £7,000. So far this year, more than 200 people have signed up to sing.

Tickets to sing cost £20, or £15 for concessions, while tickets to watch the concert cost £10 or £7.50 for concessions. For details, email tarcas09@ googlemail.com or call 01865 552855.