TALENTED young singers are being asked to hit the high notes in a youth choir.

Dorset Youth Voices is a county choir open to young singers aged 11 to 18 and needs to boost its numbers.

It was set up earlier this year by the Dorset Music Service and is open to young singers aged 11 to 18.

Nichola Pendlebury, head of Dorset Music Service, said: “There are no auditions, but we need young people with good voices, who love to sing and would enjoy working towards a big concert each year – and have a lot of fun in the process.

“Ultimately, we want to create a strong, professional-standard choir that will form the vocal core of our next big concert at the Royal Albert Hall – planned for 2017.”

Dorset Youth Voices is aiming to do for vocalists what orchestras do for instrumentalists.

The youth choir will be along similar lines to the successful Rock Choirs.

Nichola added: “We have a good nucleus of talented singers – mainly drawn from the Olympics Choir put together last year in collaboration with Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole – but we’d like to boost the numbers.”

Conductor Jenny Deacon said: “Lots of teenagers, as well as adults, can be shy about sharing their voices in public.

“Creating a safe and inclusive environment and a choir like DYV or Rock Choir encourages singers to be more confident.

“Singing also increases the body’s natural endorphins, which makes us more friendly and happier, so friendships can flourish when singing in a group.

“I also feel that having a creative outlet can enhance a teenager’s positive attitude towards learning and social interaction.”

Dorset Youth Voices meets once a month on Sunday afternoons at Bovington Middle School, building up to a final concert weekend.

This year, the concert will be at Bryanston School in Blandford.

A year’s membership costs £50 but grant-making trusts and bodies are available if parents need help with fees. See dorsetmusicservice.org.uk for more information or call 01305 225770.