RAMSBOTTOM Choral Society and Orchestra has announced its forthcoming season of concerts — and new musicians are needed.

Singing rehearsals were launched in St Andrew’s Church last week while the orchestra will rehearse tonight in Greenmount Old School at 7.30pm.

The first concert will be Brahms German Requiemon, featuring soloist soprano Suzanne Mather and bass Maurice Rushby, on November 28.

Just before Christmas, the society will perform a family carol concert in Greenmount United Reformed Church, on December 19.

The first performance of 2010 will be Handel’s Messiah on March 27, before a summer songs from the show concert, featuring excerpts from The Merry Widow on June 5, in Bolton Road Methodist Church. Barry Sugden, from the society, said: “New instrumentalists are always welcome. There are vacancies for all string players, certain woodwind and also brass players. All the members of the orchestra play to a high standard, but all are unpaid and play for the love of music.”

For further information: contact Barry on 0161 761 2985, or visit ramsb ottomchoralsociety.com