THEY are one of the most exciting groups of young singers in the country and they’ll be opening the lunchtime concert season in Dewsbury early next month.

Kirklees Borough Organist Gordon Stewart, whose own concerts pack in the audiences both in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, is the man behind the programming of this lunchtime series and he says he is really excited by getting Voces8 to kick off the new programme in Dewsbury.

For those not in the know, these eight young singers got together about four years ago and have been sweeping up prizes in major competitions.

Voces8 is the flagship ensemble of Voces Cantabiles Music, a music foundation based in South East England.

Their current line-up includes: sopranos Emily Dickens and Andrea Haines; counter-tenors Chris Wardle and Barnaby Smith; tenors Charles

MacDougall and Robert Smith, baritone Paul Smith and bass Dingle Yandell.

In 2005 Voces8 swept the board at the 44th International Choral Grand Prix in Gorizia, winning first prize for performances in the jazz category and the audience vote for best performance.

Since then, the awards have kept on coming with the singers picking up accolades at competitions in Slovenia, Italy and most recently in Spain.

That Spanish win was at the European Choral Grand Prix where they won first prize in both the sacred and secular categories as well as scoring the highest points in the Grand Prix.

They have toured throughout Europe where their work has attracted a huge amount of support.

It is a real coup then to be able to hear this international award-winning vocal ensemble sing in Dewsbury on October 7.

They sing a capella and their choice of music ranges from English and European Renaissance choral work English to their own arrangements of jazz and pop songs.

With concerts this year throughout Europe, the United States and Africa, they have still managed to find time to fit in a trip to Dewsbury to open the season.

This is a group of bright young musicians who sing beautifully and are great fun. So expect a great treat at Dewsbury Town Hall on October 7 at 12.30pm.

Tickets are £4 (£3 concessions) from the Town Hall box office or from Dewsbury booking office, on 01924 324501.

Lunch is served in the main hall from 11.30am.