7:40AM, Tue Jul 17, 2012

Learn To Sing In 45 Minutes: Music In The Minster Hunt For Sunderland Stars

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Sunderland

Sky Tyne And Wear Reporter Learns To Sing In 45 Minutes

A series of workshops are taking place in Sunderland as a hunt for undiscovered singing talent gets underway.

Sunderland charity Music in the Minster is hosting lessons to develop vocal skills and discover potential stars for an upcoming production of Whistle Down The Wind.

The group are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part - even those who think they cannot sing.

Mezzo Soprano Alison Barton is leading the search for stars, and believes anyone can learn to sing in just 45 minutes.

She said: "Many people are told they can't sing when they are young, but through lessons they discover they can.

"We all have the same instrument, the key is how you use it."

Ms Barton is hoping to encourage more men to take part in the courses, and ultimately the charity's musical production which will be staged in November 2012.

She said: "It is a shame that men sing at the football and in the shower, but they are shy when it comes to singing on stage.

"Whistle Down The Wind is a great production for males and we want as many as possible to get involved."

The Music In The Minster workshops are taking place from 10am until 4pm on July 21 and July 22, 2012.

To sign up visit www.facebook.com/MusicintheMinster or email info@musicintheminster.org.uk