WITH many studies recently extolling the health and social benefits of singing in a choir, Richmondshire Choral Society hopes that when its rehearsals resume on Monday, September 10, new people may be encouraged to sample these benefits.

Singing in a choir has been shown to improve breathing, memory and heart functioning and reduce stress levels. Richmondshire Choral Society has an age demographic that seems to prove this point though it has many younger members as well.

The choir exists principally to make music and has tackled some beautiful if challenging works in recent years.

On September 10, a new conductor takes to the rostrum when Peter Stallworthy begins his tenure.

He has experience of conducting choirs and orchestras mainly in the Manchester area and has proposed an exciting series of works, some of which the Richmondshire choir has not sung before.

With the centenary of the end of the First World War occurring in November, the first work is Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem, which the choir sang in 2014 under the baton of the late Peter Collis to mark the centenary of the start of the war.

This time it will be paired with the same composer’s Toward the Unknown Region and American composer Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna.

Rehearsals start at 7.30pm in Richmond Methodist Church. The concert will be on December 8 in St Mary's Church, Richmond.

For those uncertain about attending normal rehearsals, there is a taster open rehearsal on Saturday, September 15, at 10am in the Methodist church. It has been organised for anyone worried about turning up on a Monday evening, or who perhaps cannot commit now but would like to know more about the choir.

At this morning event new voices can join in singing Dona nobis pacem without feeling an obligation to join. Further information from richchoral.org.uk or 01325 374112.