As part of Perth Concert Hall’s 10th anniversary celebrations, Horsecross Arts has joined forces with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to create a special event bringing together singers and musicians from across the area.

Horsecross Voices Does Musicals culminates in a choir and orchestra performance in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 13 September during the venue’s 10th anniversary community weekend. Featured musicals will include Les Misérables, West Side Story, Calamity Jane, Blood Brothers and more.

Enthusiastic vocalists and instrumentalists from throughout Scotland are being invited to join the choir and RSNO Join In Orchestra; and Horsecross Arts is giving singers from the local community the opportunity to audition for solo parts.

Residents of Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Fife and Stirling are eligible to audition for solo parts at open auditions in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 9 August. As the musicals will be sung as per their original scores, there are opportunities for sopranos, mezzo-sopranos/altos, tenors and baritones to perform the solos within the songs. Audition time-slots can be booked in person at Perth Concert Hall Box Office or on 01738 621 031.

Choirs and individuals (aged 16+) can sign up to be part of the chorus with no auditions required. Rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays 19 and 26 August and 2 and 9 September from 6.45pm until 9.30pm in the Norie-Miller Studio, Perth Concert Hall.

Orchestral instrumentalists (age 14+) of Grade 7 standard or above can apply to be a part of the RSNO Join In Orchestra which will be accompanying the Horsecross Voices Does Musicals choir under the baton of RSNO assistant conductor Jean-Claude Picard. The orchestra will rehearse alongside members of the RSNO from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Monday 7 September and on performance day from 3pm to 5.15pm with performance at 6pm. To apply to be part of the orchestra complete a registration form online at: www.rsno.org.uk/engage or fill and hand in an application form available in person from Perth Concert Hall Box Office.

Noëlle Cobden, head of creative learning at Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said:

“We are delighted to be joining forces with our friends at RSNO to create Horsecross Voices Does Musicals. This is a fitting celebration of ten years of singing, community participation, musical collaboration and creative learning in Perth Concert Hall and we look forward to receiving many applications to audition and to take part. We hope, not only to hear from some of the thousands of people who have engaged in our join-in activities over the years, but also from some new participants who may be inspired to be a part of such an exciting and unique experience.

“Horsecross Does Musicals will be an uplifting finale to our Singing Sunday which is a whole day of singing fun that everyone can get involved in.”

RSNO acting chief executive Kenneth Osborne said:

“It is an honour and a pleasure to be involved in Perth Concert Hall’s 10th anniversary. The Orchestra has been performing in Perth for over 100 years and has enjoyed a strong connection with Perthshire concert goers, but with the arrival of Perth Concert Hall the city has benefitted from a performance space fit for the 21st century.

“Together with our partner orchestras the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra we have been proud to present the Perth Concert Series, and in partnership with the Gannochy Trust the Orchestra has been able to lead on numerous community initiatives, including a week-long residency and a collaborative programme with Perth Youth Orchestra. We look forward to many more years of fruitful music-making in the city.”

Horsecross Voices Does Musicals is part of Singing Sunday at Perth Concert Hall’s 10th anniversary celebrations which take place over two weekends from Sat 12 to Sun 20 September. As well as free multi-art form workshops, performances, vocal activities and fun for all ages, there will also be a family ceilidh, one-off concerts, world-class guest artists and more. Full details will be shared in the upcoming Sep-Dec brochure from Horsecross Arts.

For more information on Horsecross Voices Does Musicals and RSNO Join In visit www.horsecross.co.uk or contact Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621031.