SINGERS are warming up their vocal chords in time for the Big Sing in St George’s Square on Saturday.

Hundreds are expected take part in the event in front of Huddersfield Railway Station.

And many of them are expected to be bemused passers-buy – roped in for a random singalong.

The event – which is open to singers of all abilities and ages – will celebrate singing in the region and will kick off at 11am.

Among the serious singers taking part are members of Huddersfield Caribbean Choir and they were busy rehearsing last night.

Marie Buckle, from Fartown, recently joined the choir which performs gospel, Caribbean folk, and African spirituals and hymns.

But on Saturday they will be singing three classic songs – Jerusalem, On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At and The Yorkshire Anthem.

Marie, who sings soprano, said: “I saw an advert for the Big Sing in the Examiner and I thought it looked absolutely amazing and we had to get involved.

“I’ve just turned 40 and I’m just about old enough to be allowed in the choir now – they’re all older ladies.

“So now I’m the third generation of my family to join the choir and I thought what better way to celebrate than to have a big sing-song?”

Marie’s late grandmother Beryl Johnson, from Kingston in Jamaica, used to sing alto in the choir.

And her mother Leleith Gayle, 60, also sings alto with the group.

Marie wants to get her six-year-old son Louis’ school choir involved.

The Huddersfield Royal Infirmary nurse said: “I’ve just been passing the word along and telling people to come and join us – anyone can come you don’t have to be a singer – it all about taking part and it’s something you can look back on and say you were there.”

The Big Sing singers will be accompanied by one of West Yorkshire’s leading brass bands, Marsden Concert Brass. Several choirs are to join in, including Gledholt Male Voice Choir and Almondbury Ladies.

The Big Sing is along the lines of a “flash mob” event, in which crowds converge to do something zany.

But the idea of outdoor “sings” is not quite as novel as all that. In many parts of Yorkshire, including Longwood, hundreds of people would converge in the middle of a wood or field and sing. Dressed in their Sunday best often accompanied by a full orchestra, people from miles around would come and perform a selection of music (including the Hallelujah Chorus) just for the joy of it.

Phillip Lamb, secretary of the Marsden Concert Brass, said: “We are extremely excited to be involved with and participating in the Big Sing.

“We hope that it is the massive event it should be and that it will show two real Yorkshire passions, choirs and brass bands.”

James Beattie, organiser of the Yorkshire Big Sing, said: “I am particularly pleased to have the Marsden Concert Brass on board – a band which exists to allow junior players to play alongside prize-winning players at the top of their game.

“It is very much in the spirit of this event which sees experienced singers and singing groups giving confidence to and singing alongside complete beginners.”

Ian McMillan, the Bard of Barnsley, has written the words to a new Yorkshire anthem to be performed at the Big Sing Yorkshire.

The nationally renowned poet has written some contemporary words to accompany a 250-year-old tune called ‘Yorkshire’. You can see these on page three of this article.

He said: “I was interested in images, names, Yorkshire language, in some old Yorkshire cliches that I could turn on their head, and some ideas that may not seem obvious at first.

“I wanted to take the fairly serious and dramatic tune and make lighter words to go with it. The hardest bit as ever was trying to write just a few words!

“Yorkshire has a great musical and choral tradition and I’d like to see more opportunities for poets and composers to work together to create new works for choirs.”

The Big Sing will be conducted by Sally Egan, a vocal trainer, and is open to absolutely anyone who wants to join in.

The Yorkshire Anthem by Ian McMillan

Yorkshire, my home, my backyard my front room

My miner’s helmet and my weaver’s loom

From Ilkley Moor, and Batley through to Hull

Our vowels may be clipped, our hearts are full

Yorkshire’s a dream a mystery and a place

That you can see lit up from outer space!

Yorkshire, my world my history my white rose

My way of speaking: rather blunt tha knows!

Under the cap there beats a heart of gold

Eat up your naan bread cos it might go cold

This is a county like a treasure chest

Stroll on the seafront you don’t need a vest!

Yorkshire, the past, the present all combine

To forge a future that is yours and mine

This is a county that will rise again

Pride of all Yorkshire women, Yorkshire men.

Sing loud and long; let your voices fly:

The sun’s a Yorkshire pudding in the sky!