THE renowned Worcester Male Voice Choir has announced it will shortly become the first male voice choir in the country to accept ladies.

The decision was taken by the choir’s main committee following discussions with the ladies committee over the last few months.

Worcester Cathedral Choir now contains 18 girl choristers and a spokesman for the choir said it seemed natural for the Worcester Male Voice Choir to move in the same direction.

The male voice choir was formed from the remnants of the Worcester Police Choir and as the police force now contains many women the choir’s committee decided to follow suit.

The choir’s director of music, Nicolas Wright, said: “I am excited by the challenge ahead to integrate the ladies into our number.

“They will at first become members of our highest voice section, the first tenors, but it is hoped that over the next few months we will find them their own part to sing.”

The chairman of the ladies committee commented: “Having supported the men for so long we are looking forward now to becoming full members of the choir in our own right.

“We hope to be able to sing a few numbers with the choir at its concert in Malmesbury Abbey on Saturday, July 18, and to have our own section in time for the annual concert at College Hall in October.”

April Prime, of the English Mixed Choirs Association, welcomed the announcement. Mrs Prime is currently working with several music publishers to arrange pieces for the new section of the choir to sing.

The name for the reformed choir has yet to be decided but a favourite is ‘Worcester FeMale Voice Choir’.

The decision was due to be ratified by the choir’s members at a rehearsal tonight but it is anticipated that the decision will be well received and will get full support.