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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Leicester's Rupal Rajani has been set the challenge of raising the biggest choir in Leicestershire to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's musical masterpiece Messiah, all in aid of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need.

This year sees the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel and also the 250th anniversary of the performance of Messiah in Church Langton, which was the first in an English parish church.

To celebrate these milestones, on Friday 20 November between 11.30am and 1.00pm at Leicester Cathedral, Rupal is on a mission to find another 249 people to join her in a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus, live on-air, during her lunchtime show on the station.

All singers and choirs in Leicestershire are invited to attend; whether amateur or professional, young or old, everyone is welcome.

Singers are requested to be at Leicester Cathedral by 11.00am on the day and will be singing from the Watkins Shaw edition of Messiah.

Canon Stephen Foster, the Cathedral's Precentor, is conducting the proceedings.

During the week leading up to the big day, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Leicester will be joining in with rehearsal sessions taking place across Leicestershire, with daily updates on how many singers Rupal has managed to muster.

Rupal says: "It's going to be a great challenge, not only for me but the people of Leicestershire and Rutland to get involved in.

"I'm taking singing lessons to help me with this challenge but somehow I'm not sure it's going to make much difference!

"As it's for Children in Need I'll have a go at anything!"

Rupal adds: "It should be a great experience singing with over 200 people in Leicester's Cathedral."

Sing Hallelujah is part of a nationwide ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ project encouraging people to discover the joy of singing.

For more information on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Sing Hallelujah plans please visit bbc.co.uk/sing and the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Leicester website at bbc.co.uk/leicester.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Leicester broadcasts on 104.9 FM, DAB digital radio and online via ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer.

BG