THE DURHAM Singers launch a busy autumn concert season by welcoming other singers from the North-East to join them in singing one of Haydn’s best loved works - his choral masterpiece, The Creation.

Members of other local choirs and anyone else who enjoys singing are invited to join the choir, under the leadership of mucical director Dr Julian Wright, to sing through the lively choruses of Haydn’s oratorio.

Durham Singers – Come and Sing Haydn’s Creation will be held at Durham Johnson School on Saturday, October 10, with registration from 10.30am and singing from 11am. The day will conclude with an informal performance, open to all, and finishing at 3.30pm

As the the name suggests, it is a musical account of the biblical story of creation, from swirling chaos, through to the ordered beauty of the Garden of Eden.

Many people will be familiar with the greatest hit from Creation, The Heavens are Telling, a great favourite of church choirs, particularly at harvest time,

Participants in the workshop will be able to find out about the background to Haydn’s oratorio, which was a great hit across Europe in the 18th century, as well as learning about balancing good technical singing with the style and interpretation of Haydn’s music.

Dr Wright said: “As we build up to a major performance involving our professional period instrument orchestra and the Durham Johnston School Chamber Choir – in Durham Cathedral on November 21 – we want to take time to explore these popular and lively choruses and share our joy in singing them with as many other singers as possible”.

There are English and German versions of Creation, and on this occasion, the choir are singing in English in an edition that goes back to the original text used by Haydn for his own German edition.

Participants at the workshop will also learn more about the fascinating background to Haydn’s English text.

Soloists in the roles of the angels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael guide the chorus through the wonders of Haydn’s universe, and three of the young soloists from the prestigious Samling Academy programme, who will be singing with the choir on 21 November will also be attending the workshop.

Clare Tunney of Middlesbrough, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, former Durham University student Hugo Hymas and current undergraduate James Quitman will sing the solo parts during the workshop.

There will also be an exclusive opportunity for participants to listen in as they start to rehearse their solo arias.

The choir ran a similar workshop two years ago singing Bach’s St Matthew Passion.

Choir publicity manager Jane Shuttleworth said: “Our Come and Sing St Matthew attracted a lot of people and for us, it was great to be able to spend a day getting to know people who we see often our concert audiences, and it gave everyone a new insight into the music.

“We also recruited a couple of new members as it gave people the chance to find out what we’re all about”.

Singers of all ability levels are welcome. Tickets are £15, including music hire, can be booked online at www.durham-singers.org or by contacting the choir 0779 0148062 or info@durham-singers.org to reserve on the door.