THEY came together as the Singing Estate and five years later, a popular choir hopes to get Oxford’s biggest estate singing again.

The Blackbird Leys Choir was formed in 2006 for a Five TV show bringing together people from the estate.

Earlier this year, it celebrated its fifth anniversary and the choir has found fresh leadership in new member Graham Russell.

Mr Russell, 58, said: “I am a bit of a newcomer, I have only been with the choir since the beginning of the year.

“I was always drawn to classical music so the choir was perfect for me.”

He added: “I would not call myself a singer, though, more someone with potential.”

More than 40 residents formed the original choir and performed for the Queen, a fan of the show, at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Russell follows on from previous chairman Jeremy Renals, who led the choir for the past year.

He said: “Jeremy is a hard act to follow, he has been around since day one and did a fantastic job.”

In July, the choir made a plea for new bass singers and Mr Russell said although they had new people, they were always in need of new members. He said: “To be honest, we need more men. We have got a fine alto section, but definitely need more men.”

To solve the problem, the choir will next month hold a ‘boot camp’, which will see people learn a piece of music in a day and perform it that evening.

Mr Russell said: “The workshop is on Saturday, October 1, and anyone can come.

“We’ll be doing Gilbert and Sullivan, and learning and rehearsing them during the day.

“Then in the evening, the choir and any newcomers will perform at the Holy Family Church.”

He added: “The choir has a really nice history, so I think we’re just going to try and build on that.

“We are a slightly different choir with a great history and we’re proud of it.”

The workshop runs at the Clockhouse in Greater Leys from 10am until 4pm.

The performance will then be held at the Holy Family Church in Cuddeson Way at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to join in at both.

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk