As The Petersfield Choir gears up for its next session, an appeal is going out for experienced male singers to boost their tenor and bass sections.

Director Steve Sargent said: "Most choirs face the same problem - a shortage of men. But balancing the male and female voices is essential and we’re looking for men who can read music well and have had experience of choral singing."

The choir’s most recent concert packed out the vast Privett Church in July until there was standing-room only and the same popularity is expected when the choir performs extracts from Handel’s ’Messiah’, accompanied by The SouthDowns Camerata. As usual, the choir will be singing some rich pickings from the a cappella repertoire, too.

The concert will be held in Petersfield’s Methodist Church on Saturday, November 28 and the choir rehearses on Monday evenings in Petersfield.

Steve said: "It’s been marvellous to see how, as the choir has been getting more accomplished and has been widening its interests, the members are enjoying it more and more. Choral singing is sociable, rewarding and is a great stress-buster - and you get all this for an investment of just 90 minutes per week!"

Any men interested in joining can read more about the choir at www.thepetersfieldchoir.co.uk and make an enquiry there, too.