by Julia Taylor

A 73 strong mixed choir from the Music Place, the music education centre in Altrincham, have been offered their first professional engagement.

The Music Place choir will close Manchester Jazz Festival’s 10 day programme with an hour-long performance in the Pavilion, Albert Square, Manchester on July 27 at 5pm.

Lucy McElhinney, manager, said: “We are the only choir in the festival. It is special to do something like this.”

The choir will celebrate the work of Richard Rodgers.

“We have jazzed up some songs and some are already jazzy,” said Lucy.

“Even the best known songs such as Oh! What a Beautiful Morning and Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered have been jazzed up.

“Our solo vocalist, Alison Owen, who has a soulful, powerhouse of a voice, teaches singing here along with Musical Director Clare Morel.”

She said that Clare usually directed three of their choirs including one for dementia sufferers and they were grateful to the Cinnamon Club for letting them practise there.

The choir will perform with a three piece backing band.

Lucy said: “The guy playing the piano will be our own Richard Wetherall. He’ll be joined by Pete Turner on Double Bass and Steve Parry on trumpet.

“I am really pleased we are doing this,” said Lucy.

* Admission to the concert is £4.