KENDAL Millennium Youth Choir has just celebrated its tenth birthday.

The choir first drew breath in September 2000 under the leadership of musical directors Linda Graves and Moira Hall.

Affectionately known as ‘the milli’, its members are young singers aged from eight to 18 who live in and around the town – and the choir’s aim is to offer them an opportunity to sing and produce music both formally and informally through rehearsals, concerts, local workshops and residential weekends.

And in recent years the young singers have graced many stages on behalf of countless local charities and organisations.

In September 2009 Moira – former music teacher at Kendal’s Stramongate School – retired from the choir through ill health and so Linda’s daughter Anna, who had sung with the choir since its inception, took over.

Anna teaches at Stramongate Primary School, is the musical director of St Mark's Church Choir, at Natland and is a member of Kendal and District Gilbert and Sullivan and Kendal Amateur Operatic societies.

Accompanied by pianist Daniel Crompton at the piano, the talented youngsters meet every Tuesday during term time at St Thomas' School, Kendal, from 5.30pm-7.30pm, honing their vocal chords on a repertoire from classical and traditional, to multi-cultural and modern works.

Choir chairman Michael Atkinson said it had been a notable year because one of the choir’s original members Lauren Storer, had made her debut on the West End stage in the musical Dreamboats and Petticoats.

As the choir heads into a fresh decade, Linda – head teacher at Dean Barwick School, Witherslack – and Anna are keen to augment the ensemble, particularly from aged seven upwards.

Linda said: “We take young people who have never had any musical experience and try to instil in them a love of music.”

Anyone interested in joining ‘Milli’ can go to Tuesday rehearsals or call Linda on 015395-61565.