A COMMUNITY choir project which was born out of a meeting with a former Bishop of Ripon is moving from strength to strength.

Voices of Craven started three years ago, in 2016, after the then Bishop James Bell thought it a way of ‘breathing new life into Craven’s rural communities through the power of song.’

Nick Bannister, chairman of the Voices of Craven steering group, said now in its fourth year, the project was building all the time, with between 50 and 75 people signing up for the current season.

Voices of Craven is made up of existing and new choirs, which meet together once a month from March in preparation for joint performances, including a grand finale to be held in the summer at Kirkby Malham Church and also a hoped for Christmas concert.

The well known soprano, Sarah Fox, trustee and lead singer of Voices of Craven, will sing at the grand finale on July 6.

The project works with skilled choral ‘animateurs’ - people who help audiences to appreciate musicians and music in new ways, it also develops opportunities for young people to rehearse and to perform in front of the public.

Mr Bannister said: “We bring amateurs and professionals together in vocal workshops where visiting artists work with choir members and other interested people who have perhaps been unable to participate regularly and can only access a “one off” event,” he said.

“A finale concert will close the festival season, and bring the Voices of Craven Choir together with professional musicians and singers - many of who live locally but who work nationally and internationally - to present a programme of high quality choral music.”

Mass rehearsals take place every month at The Coniston Hotel, Coniston Cold, while weekly rehearsals led by ‘choir champions’ take place in villages across North Craven.

“We aim to bring people together to make music, make friends and most importantly have fun. It has been a very interesting few years and most importantly it has genuinely helped bring communities in different parishes together in a way that would not have happened without Voices of Craven.,” said Mr Bannister.

Rehearsals of the Gargrave and Coniston Cold choir take place every other Wednesday, with the next due to take place on March 6 from 7.15pm to 8.30pm at Gargrave Parish Church. Settle and Giggleswick choir meets every other Tuesday at Settle Parish Church, from 7pm to 8.30pm. The next rehearsal is due to take place on March 12. Joint, monthly rehearsals start at The Coniston Hotel on Wednesday, March 27 at 7pm. To find out more, visit the website: voicesofcraven.org