THE Hereford Rail Male Voice Choir is holding its annual concert on April 9 at 7pm, at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross Road, Hereford, with the celebrated baritone David Coulson as guest soloist.

David's first break into show business came at the age of 11 when he auditioned for the part of Friedrich in The Sound of Music, at the Stourport on Severn Civic Centre. Flushed with this success, he went on to gain a place at the Guildhall School of Music where he studied singing under Rudolph Piernay. Whilst there, he gained experience not only from the tuition itself but also from the opportunities of participation in opera at venues such as Fulham Town Hall and the Sadlers Wells Theatre. Sadly, the gig at Sadlers Wells was a non-singing role so David joined the police. Singing with the Metropolitan Police Choir for six years finally brought the opportunity to perform in some of the great London venues – and be heard. Highlights included Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and the Royal Festival Hall. However, the call of his native Worcestershire was strong and so, in 1988, he transferred to the West Mercia Constabulary and the Hereford Police Choir. In 2011 he was able to fulfil an ambition to sing at The Barbican Concert Hall in London, a building that had been under construction during his student days at The Guildhall next door. David has also taken on the role as deputy musical director for the Police Choir. Since retirement from the police and release from shift work, he has increasingly been able to perform as a soloist, giving him the opportunity to sing works such as the Mozart Requiem, the Bach cantata 'ich habe genug' and Carmina Burana.

The Rail Choir goes from strength to strength and has had a remarkable year with a full programme of concerts around the county. They have performed in Leysters, Bosbury, Withington, Weobley, Ross, Bromyard plus four concerts in Hereford at the Saxon Hall, St Peters Church and an excellent concert alongside the visiting choir from Holland in October at St Johns Methodist Church.

The choir departed from its normal format, to perform two concerts in High Town and Maylords at Christmas and have been invited to entertain the shoppers in the summer in High Town again. They also provided their regular concerts for the residents of Great Western Court and Elizabeth Court.

There will be a number of new songs specially chosen for the annual concert including Do You Hear The People Sing from Les Miserables, and One Moment In Time, a new arrangement of the hit by Whitney Houston, and a new piece, Tebe Pojem.

The choir is led by its musical director Derek Gough, assisted by its two accompanists Cath Evans and Sandra Gale. The entertainment will be introduced by the MC Tony Bailey.

Admission will be £7 by ticket available from members of the choir, from Outback Records on Church Street, or on the door on the night.

For more details contact choir secretary Colin Archer on 01432 276911.