Singers are being asked to join a "very special chorus" for an annual music festival.

The Elgar Festival, which celebrates the life and work of Worcestershire composer Edward Elgar, is seeking experienced singers for the 2025 Elgar Festival Chorus.

The festival will run from Saturday, May 24 until Sunday, June 1.

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The chorus will perform John Ireland’s piece 'These things shall be' at the Elgar Festival Gala Concert on Saturday, May 31 at Worcester Cathedral.

The performance will be alongside the English Symphony Orchestra, baritone Gareth Brynmor John, and conductor Kenneth Woods.

Woods, the festival's artistic director, said: "There’s nothing like the thrill of singing with a great group of friends and colleagues and a world class symphony orchestra.

"The Elgar Festival Chorus is a vital part of the Elgar Festival, bringing together outstanding choral singers from around the region under the leadership of chorus master Stephen Shellard.

"I’m so pleased to invite singers to come and sing with us in the 2025 festival as we perform John Ireland’s oratorio 'These things shall be.'

"It’s a powerful musical version of a better and brighter tomorrow, full of thrilling music and gorgeous melodies."

Singers are expected to commit to at least five rehearsals and be available for the afternoon rehearsal on the concert day.

Mr Shellard, the chorus master, said: "John Ireland’s ‘These things shall be’ was his biggest choral work showing the influences of Debussy, Stravinsky and Edward Elgar and was commissioned by the BBC to celebrate the coronation of George VI in 1937.

"It is a powerful and stirring tour de force and we look forward to continuing to build on the successes of Worcester’s newest chorus."

The festival, themed this year ‘Celebrate with Elgar’, will feature professional musicians and artists, choirs, and ensembles performing the music of Elgar and his contemporaries.

The festival is an annual event held in Elgar's hometown and surrounding areas, featuring symphonic and string orchestra concerts, chamber concerts, recitals, and more.

Since its inception in 2018, the festival has doubled in size and scope.

For more information and to apply to be part of the chorus, visit elgarfestival.org/elgar-festival-chorus-2025.