Last updated 11:48, Thursday, 14 August 2008

Mad Aunt Mildred does it. So does the dodgy man next door. Great grandma enjoys a good listen on a Sunday – but even she is too young to recognise the tunes. Andrew Johnston recognises this more than most. For the past seven years the 13-year-old has been a member of Carlisle Cathedral choir, working his way up to head chorister – and today his soprano voice has made him a star.Despite the youngsters’ love for their hobby, do they ever feel the brunt at school? “The fact that some children are doing so well can cause resentment. However the more people that get involved, the more acceptable it will become.

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Chorister Alex Rose (12) from Lockerby, at Carlisle Cathedral.

Choir singing has traditionally been regarded as social suicide, destined to resign all who participate to a friendless, partnerless existence.

But look who’s laughing – or singing – now.

Carlisle Cathedral’s head chorister Andrew Johnston is set to bring out his first album, BBC One’s newest reality fest Last Choir Standing has millions tuning in and today Brits can’t get enough of the 25,000 registered choral bodies in the country.

Today it’s time to face the music: choirs are becoming cool.

After years of decline it turns out these once-shunned groups are top of the pops.

Cumbria’s voice is louder than ever. Several local choirs have reported larger numbers in recent years. Young and old, big and small, groups are growing in members and sound.

Since January 2007 Whitehaven Male Voice Choir has welcomed nine new voices.

Perhaps surprising because they seem like the epitome of a stereotypical choir – a group of elderly men aged between 50 and 80 who sing in stiff turqoise uniform.

But the 42-member group prove that appearances can be deceiving. Witness them in action and you’ll hear lively versions of Westlife and Queen blasting out their voiceboxes.

“The stereotype that used to exist is gone,” says Don Messenger, secretary and singer with the team. “Yes we still sing traditional and church music but the variety of music has grown. You find there’s a lot more foot-tapping excitement now.

“We’re currently doing musicals such as Les Miserable’s I dreamed a dream, Queen’s Bohemian Rapsody and bits of Westlife.

“We covered The Rose by Amanda McBroom once. Soon after Westlife covered it as well. We say that Westlife pinched off us so we’re nicking off them too.”

The choir, which was formed 31 years ago and has raised hundreds of thousands for local and national charities, has some impressive performances under its belt.

They have played the Royal Albert Hall, Sheffield Arena and alongside international conductor Owain Arwel Hughes. Of approximately 20 performances each year only one is charged to raise money for their upkeep. In October 2009 the Royal Albert beckons again.

“There are so many benefits in a choir,” Don reveals. “It’s such good fun. We have a committee that looks after the social side of things and we’re always organising events like dinners, coffee mornings, pie and peas nights.

“And then there’s the exercise, which is particularly important for our older members. If you breathe properly when singing it gives your respiration system a good workout.

“The singing, social and health side shape our lifestyle.”

So what of the negative reactions by some when Don admits to being in a choir? “You’d hope those days would be gone now. It’s no longer about happy, clappy movements. The few remaining narrow minds need to be widened.”

One of the huge shifts in choir singing during recent years is its appeal to youngsters as well as adults.

Last April the timid schoolboy took the stage at reality show Britain’s Got Talent and sang a room-silencing rendition of Pie Jesu. It received a standing ovation from Simon ‘Mr Nasty’ Cowell and left co-judge Amanda Holden tearfully stunned.

All down to a song he learned in a boys’ choir.

Now he is signed by Cowell’s SyCo label, part of Sony BMG, recording his first album. It is testament to how popular and invigorating choral music can be.

“I really enjoy it,” Andrew told the News & Star. “I had a good voice from the age of six and my teacher said I should try the choir. It is a fun thing to do and a great opportunity to learn how to sing, read music and make loads of friends.”

At the moment the Carlisle superstar is enjoying watching Last Choir Standing, which is directed by Nigel Wright, the man producing Andrew’s upcoming CD.

“It’s good,” he says. “I’m enjoying watching all the different choirs all over the country. It is now for the public to decide if they like choirs or not.”

There’s no denying how grateful Andrew is to his roots. His album, One Voice, is due for release on September 29 and true to form it contains many choral-style songs as well as covers such as Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven.

The days as a head chorister are now over but Andrew still has a group trip to Norway to look forward to, not to mention his very last performance – including a solo piece – in the Cathedral on August 26.

After his departure Andrew’s musical director at the cathedral, Jeremy Suter, will continue to nurture the next crop of singers.

He looks after four choirs – the Cathedral Boys’ and Girls’ from ages eight to thirteen, the Youth Choir for 13-21 year olds and the Voluntary Choir for older enthusiasts. Following his top boy’s latest success, Jeremy is hopeful that there will be an influx of keen children looking to pursue choral singing when he auditions for fresh blood in September.

Jeremy says “I don’t yet know what difference Andrew will make but we’ve had letters from all over the world supporting him and complimenting his voice. When I go around the schools in September to talk about the benefits of singing I guess I will find out.”

It is Jeremy’s philosophy that anybody can get involved in his choirs, contrary to whether they can initially sing or not. “Of course you do need the passion and fitness is very important because singing is a physical act. Dedication is essential because the boys’ and girls’ choirs meet twice a week for two and a half hours.

“But a lot of the excellent singing is to do with the training. I can think of many children who joined up and did not know how to pitch a tune but four years later they can sing beautifully and perfectly read music. The voice is a fine instrument that everybody has the ability to use. All you need is the will and the hunger to learn.”

The sessions do not just teach children the art of singing, but valuable life lessons too. “Children learning to read music and pick up songs in the space of an hour makes excellent skills for any walk of life.

“Research has been done that shows choir singers tend to be successful in whatever job they choose because they’re so clued up about the essential qualities required.”

Jeremy also reveals that many would be surprised by the music the children sing – and the songs they like best of all.

“The repertoire is incredibly vast. We sing music from as long ago as the 1500s until music composed a few weeks ago. The surprising thing is when the children leave the choir and are allowed to pick a couple of pieces to take with them they often pick what you least expect.

“Choir singing introduced a type of music that a kid perhaps hasn’t thought of before but loves when are familiar with it.”

“I know Andrew said people gave him a hard time but now they have apologised and become his friends.”

Any chance of bullying hasn’t fazed Alexander Rose.

The Gretna-based youngster has nothing but warm words for his twice weekly occupation at the cathedral. “I’ve made so many new friends and before we sing we play a game of football.

“I used to get called a ‘big girl’ which bothered me a bit but it stopped when I went to secondary school.”

This may be his lucky year. Now that Andrew is about to leave the Boys’ Choir, the head chorister role is now up for grabs and Alexander admits it would be nice to assume the throne. “When we go back to school in September Mr Suter will pick one of us. Me and Cameron Mitchell have been there the longest but I have no idea who will win the place.”

When he is not harmonising Alex is the definition of a normal boy. Football, rugby and tennis all share his time and he likes to spend the pocket money the choir gives him on computer games.

At the moment Last Choir Standing is also a favourite pastime. “I like the way they tell you loads of detail about all of the choirs,” he says. “It would be great to enter something like that. Maybe next year.”

There was only one Cumbrian band to grace the BBC One stage this time round.

Kendal’s Amabile Girls’ Choir battled against hundreds of entries to make it down to the final 50.

It meant musical director and founder Charlotte Jackson got the opportunity to take her girls – one of four Amabile choirs – to London’s Cadogan Hall for a glamorous day of filming.

But despite being BBC Three’s Youth Choir of the Year, the reaction of the judges wasn’t music to their ears.

A viperous Suzi Digby, judging alongside Sharon Clarke and Russell Watson, told the girls: “I’d rather poke my eyes out with a needle than wear the clothes you are wearing.”

Charlotte says “It was incredibly unfair. After all we could change our clothes.

“Not that the girls actually want to. Suzi requested I turn away from the girls while she ask them if they liked their gowns. Every single one put their hands up. The choir like their dresses they feel confident and elegant in them. They match the dignity of the music they sing and the venues they perform in.”

The reaction meant the choir was kicked out in the first round, but they recall a lovely day irregardless. “We can’t deny we had a great time,” says Charlotte. “There’s been a lot of public support from angry watchers and what they say about bad publicity is true. Since the show we’ve had a few bookings.

“It doesn’t take anything away from us. Strong friendships, solidarity and fun are what we’re about.”

Find out more about all the Amabile girls’ choirs at www.amabile.co.uk.

Andrew Johnston’s last Carlisle Cathedral performance will start at 12.45pm on August 26.

A choral performance can be seen every day at 5.30pm in the cathedral.

Find Whitehaven Male Voice Choir at www.myspace.com/whitehavenmalevoicechoir