The award, granted to Nottingham Choral Trust with the support of Ashfield District Council, will enable the Trust to expand its work in the district including the development of musical activities for all ages and abilities, including instrumental and vocal coaching and performance opportunities.

The grant will also help support the work of local professional arts workers who will be used as tutors for community music making events.

The award has already generated its first event in the district, the ‘Sing the Shows!’ vocal workshop for young people between the ages of 11 to 18 led by Nottingham’s well respected vocal coach and teacher Matt Beckingham accompanied by Rob Challinor.

The workshops will include show stopping numbers from a variety of West End musicals such as ‘Grease’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘High School Musical’, ‘Hair Spray’ and ‘Carousel’. The workshops will be followed by an informal afternoon performance for family and friends.

‘Sing the Shows!’ takes place on Saturday 9 May 10.00am-4.30pm in the Festival Hall, Hodgkinson Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, and is open to any young person living in the Ashfield district aged between 11 and 18 years.