SINGERS are being offered the opportunity to take part in a new event at this year’s Sodbury Jazz and Blues Festival.

Organisers of jazz mass, which will take place at St John the Baptist Church in Chipping Sodbury on Sunday, June 8, want to form a choir to perform at the event.

Festival co-organiser Stuart Hobday said: “The music for the service is called A Little Jazz Mass and it’s written by the British choral composer Bob Chilcott.

“It’s actually great fun, something of a cross between Oh Happy Day and The Ray Conniff Singers. It’s been performed all over the world and if you put the title into YouTube you’ll discover lots of fascinating performances filmed in numerous countries.”

Mhe musical director at the church, Nick Sherwood, is looking to form a choir of around 40 people to sing the music and is holding rehearsals at the church every Thursday (7-8pm). All are welcome.

The mass is the first time the church has been involved in the jazz festival, now in its fourth year, and the service will be presided over by the Bishop of Tewkesbury Martyn Snow.

Sodbury Jazz and Blues Festival takes place between Thursday, June 5 and Sunday, June 8. Visit www.sodburyjazzandblues.com for more information.