Hereford Choral Society members are celebrating the success of their open rehearsal held on September 19.

The event was planned as part of a membership drive to bring in new and enthusiastic singers and led to more than 30 people coming along to participate in the rehearsal of Vivaldi's Gloria and Haydn's Maria Theresa Mass, alongside the society's existing 160 members.

Hereford Choral Society is Herefordshire's leading amateur choir, having been in existence for nearly 175 years.

The society performs three concerts a year, with orchestra, conducted by Geraint Bowen, Organist and Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral.

"It was particularly encouraging to see so many young people - proof that choral singing is flourishing in the county and appealing to a whole new generation of singers," said Mr Bowen.

There will be another chance to join the society in January, when the choir will begin preparing for a centenary performance of Elgar's oratorio The Kingdom on March 18.

A colour leaflet, with full details about the 2005/06 programme, is available from Hereford Cathedral and Tourist Information Centres.