Opera star Lesley Garrett has praised a Bradford choral society for teaching people to sing.

The Yorkshire singer said it was “fantastic” that Bradford Festival Choral Society had launched a course for people with little or no singing experience.

The ten-week Learn to Sing course ended with a concert at Bradford Grammar School last weekend.

“How wonderful that people who had never sung before in public were given the opportunity to do so,” she said. “It’s fantastic that choral singing is being kept alive this way.

“Places like Bradford and Thorne in South Yorkshire, where I’m from, have a tradition of choral singing which comes from our industrial heritage. When I was growing up every mill, colliery and factory had its own choir or band. My mother still sings in a classical choir and my dad was the founder of an amateur dramatics society.

“Communal singing creates a wonderful sense of belonging and wellbeing. There’s a sensual power and a great release of energy that comes from creating a sound with your own body. I would love schools to bring back choral singing in assembly.

“Growing up in an industrial community shaped me as a singer.”

One of Britain’s most popular singers, Miss Garrett will be in Bradford on Friday, performing a recital, accompanied by a pianist, of songs and arias from well-known operas, musicals and popular music.

“I often perform with a big orchestra so I’m looking forward to singing the way I was trained – by projecting my voice – at St George’s Hall,” she said. “I’m celebrating my 30th year of being a professional singer by returning to my classical roots and taking on new repertoires.

“I’m performing pieces by such composers as Mozart, Vivaldi and Vaughan Williams, and moving on to Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hammerstein.”

The show is at St George’s Hall on Friday at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on (01274) 432000.