THE SKIPTON Choir is set to give its first live public performances in more than two years.

The 60-strong choir will step out on Saturday April 2 at 7.30pm to perform its first public concert at Christ Church, Skipton, in aid of young rugby player Luke Mortimer, from Skipton, who lost both hands and legs after contracting meningococcal meningitis in December 2019. The Martin House children’s hospice will also be a beneficiary.

The concert will include the first ever live performance of We Will Sing Again, the specially composed song premiered with a virtual performance during the pandemic.

The choir’s last public performance was also held at Christ Church when it staged a Night of Music for Martin House in November 2019.

Said David Weale, the choir’s musical director: “Everyone is incredibly excited to be singing at live public performances again and we have a terrific repertoire of songs to share with everyone.”

It includes the song, We Will Sing Again which was written by David and his sister Rebecca Luetchford and was released on YouTube in aid of Yorkshire-based charity Dementia Forward in August 2020.

It was the choir’s second virtual performance in aid of charity. In May 2020 it released its version of When You Believe, from the 1998 film, Prince of Egypt, in aid of Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice. It raisied £3,140.

The choir - originally established more than a decade ago - started meeting for live rehearsals after a break of 17 months in August 2021 at Skipton Girls' High School where it rehearses every term-time Monday evening.

Said choir chairman Carol Squire: “Music is a lifeline for many people and particularly proved to be so during the pandemic when so many of us were isolated from friends and family during the various lockdowns. We managed to keep going through weekly Zoom rehearsals - but it has been so good to be together again and do what we love best, which is singing together as a community choir.”

For tickets to the April 2 concert at Christ Church, contact Carol Squire on 07501 252040.