YOUNG people in the Tavistock area are being invited to joint a brand new student choir, being formed for a high profile event next spring.

Big Noise is open to everyone between the ages of eight and 18 — no experience or knowledge of music is necessary and no qualifications are required except a willingness to work with others and to enjoy making music together.

Starting from scratch, the choir will work towards a professional performance of Glad Day, the choral version, a highly acclaimed adaptation of William Blake's poems by composer and musician Mike Westbrook.

Westbrook and his internationally renowned jazz band will also accompany the choir in this high-profile performance, which will open the 2010 Tavistock Music and Arts Festival on April 24 next year.

Flyers have been distributed through all the schools in the Tavistock area and every Tavistock student has been invited to join.  The aim is to coach a group of between 100 and 150 students from scratch to be able to perform on the professional stage within 4 months.

Marion Wood, conductor and director of music at Exeter University, will lead this unique project.

Formerly chorus-master of the Belfast Philharmonic Choir, one of the youngest ever appointments to a major symphony chorus in the UK, Marion said: 'I can't wait to get going. When I saw the score for the music I just knew I had to do it. 

'We are going to push boundaries and, with the massed chorus of Tavistock's students, have a most exhilarating musical experience.'

The Big Noise project is an ambitious collaboration between 19 Tavistock schools.

Clare Wesson, headteacher of St Peter's Primary School and St Rumon's Infants School, is co-ordinating the involvement of 15 primary schools, while Sarah Pappin and Sally Hubbard, head of transition and head of music at Tavistock College are co-ordinating the senior schools.

Clare said: 'This is a fabulous opportunity for the children of Tavistock.

'Marion Wood is an inspirational choir-leader who brings fresh insight into the works she conducts and really brings out the best qualities of a choir.'

The poems of 18th century poet, artist and visionary William Blake form the inspiration of Mike Westbrook's large ensemble piece.

Sarah Pappin said: 'Glad Day is wonderful. It's not necessarily the normal repertoire for a school choir, but it's extremely exciting to sing and a rare opportunity for children to perform with a live jazz band.'

Mike Westbrook said he was delighted to be in Tavistock, performing with the Big Noise choir.

'It's wonderful to be able to involve the local community, especially the kids, throughout the whole process. The sound of children's voices in the pieces is very much in keeping with Blake's work. It will make for a very powerful performance piece,' said Mike.

Following four weeks of taster sessions before Christmas, full rehearsals will continue in the New Year, at the same time and venue each Saturday.

As well as Marion and Mike Westbrook, specialist music students from Exeter University and the University of Plymouth will be working with Big Noise during rehearsals, to create a truly momentous opening concert for the Tavistock Festival in 2010.

Anyone who would like to join the choir or see what all the Big Noise is about, should come to Tavistock College main hall at 9am on any or all of the following Saturdays: November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19.