A COMMUNITY choir is celebrating its 20th birthday with a 'Day of Song'. 

Hexham will hold musical events on Saturday, June 25 when Tynedale Community Choir celebrates its 20th birthday. 

Tynedale Community Choir is organising the 'Hexham Day of Song', a day of singing workshops, performances, and an evening concert in venues around Hexham.

The event is being organised by TCC members working with Queen's Hall Arts and others in Hexham, and has financial support from the Reeds Grassroots Fund, Hexham Rotary, and the Lions Club of Tynedale.

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Venues range from Hexham Abbey and Queen's Hall Arts Centre, to church halls and the community centre.

The choice of music to try includes folk, jazz, blues, madrigals, songs from eastern Europe, and New England.

Organisers say anyone who wants to sing is welcome and there is no need to be able to read music.

TCC's Musical Director Kathryn Davidson said: "Our festival of song is celebrating this huge achievement of twenty years of community singing. Everyone is invited to join us for the day."

The event is inspired by the hugely successful 10th birthday festival held in 2012.

The day begins in the Queen's Hall, with everybody gathering to sing led by Ali Burns with Jennie Fisk, top choir leaders with huge experience of working with a range of singing voices.

Then everyone will go to different places in Hexham to the workshop of their choice.

Everyone will later gather in Hexham Abbey to listen to singing from the workshops and enjoy the ambience of the Abbey.

The concert will be held in the evening.

There are some treats in store there, including the world premieres of two pieces specially commissioned by TCC for their twentieth birthday from top North East musicians, Fiona Lander and Bridie Jackson.

Sarah Gray, singing teacher, songwriter, community musician and workshop leader, said: "It really is a one-off, spectacular event, with many of the best singing leaders from the North East and West (including my fantastic friends Jilly Jarman, Beccy Owen, Bridie Jackson and many more) holding workshops throughout the day.

"I am so looking forward to it," Sarah said. She will run a session called 'Northumberland Coast', which will involve learning two songs specific to the Northumberland coastline.