A BLACKBIRD Leys choir formed for a TV programme about council estate music groups is to celebrate its fifth birthday.

The Blackbird Leys choir will perform at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, Oxford, on Saturday, January 22 to mark the anniversary.

It was founded in 2006 for Five TV’s Singing Estate. Conductor Ivor Setterfield picked 40 out of 140 residents to form a classical choir.

The series culminated in a televised performance at the Royal Albert Hall. They later performed for The Queen, a fan of the show, at Buckingham Palace Mr Setterfield will now see them tackle their most ambitious piece at next month’s concert, Vivaldi’s Gloria.

But the choir is still looking for new members. Choir chairman Jeremy Renals, 47, said: “We are part of Oxford, which is a remarkable city, and Blackbird Leys doesn’t have very much going on which can be called cultural or remarkable.

“But the choir shows wherever you live you can still do something interesting, amazing and challenging and be a part of something.

“It’s an opportunity for local people to be a part of something exceptional.”

Since their choir formed, performances have taken them to venues in and around Oxford including the BMW factory and the Sheldonian, as well as small local churches and Dorchester Abbey.

Last year, they visited Oxford’s twin city Leiden in the Netherlands, to take part in a music festival.

Mr Renals, who used to live in Blackbird Leys but now lives in Woodstock, said the April 2006 Albert Hall concert had been an eye opener.

He said: “Performing at the Albert Hall was quite simply one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.”

He added: “I can definitely sing better than I did before I joined.

“Some of the challenges of classical music helps develop the brains, it’s a good intellectual pursuit.”

The choir needs £5,000 a year for venue hire and its musical director, and is currently supported by grant bodies, including the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

They rehearse at Blackbird Leys Community Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, every Wednesday between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

For more information see blackbirdleyschoir.org or call Mr Renals on 07765 480625.