ORIGINALLY formed to give girls the same platform as their male counterparts, Southend Girls’ Choir has gone from strength to strength and on Sunday they will play a triumphant home town concert at the Palace Theatre, Southend.

The choir was set up 22 years ago up by Roger Humphrey and Rosemary Pennington, who wanted to see girls given the same chance to perform, record and tour that boys had in the prestigious Southend Boys’ Choir.

Since then, the girls have travelled the world playing prestigious venues and winning critical acclaim.

Rosemary, assistant musical director, says the girls gain confidence and camaraderie from being a part of the successful singing group.

She says: “To be part of a choir, singing in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the girls have got to have real self-discipline in what they do and the way they behave. They have a lot of great qualities.”

And after playing at international venues including the Sydney Opera House, Florence Duomo, Florence, and St John’s Cathedral in Los Angeles, the girls are looking forward to being able to sing in front of their family and friends who will be among the audience at the Palace.

Rosemary says: “They’re looking forward to it so much. The Palace Theatre is such a lovely venue. It’s a real jewel in Southend’s crown.”

The concert is set to be a crowd-pleaser, with internationally-renowned jazz musicians Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton as star guests.

The bill features hits from top shows and films, classics from the Sixties and Seventies, as well as jazz, opera choruses and gospel music.

Rosemary adds: “Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton are fantastic jazz musicians and I will be a wonderful highlight within the concert.

“The girls have got a wide repertoire that ranges from opera choruses to show songs and film music. We pick things they really enjoy singing.”