ALONGSIDE celebrity nightly concerts, Celebrate Voice has expanded its community programme for 2016 with events for all ages.

With community and participation at the centre of the festival’s ethos, the first event begins ahead of the official launch date with a rehearsal for the new concept Instachoir.

Prior to a flash mob performance in the city, the festival has organised two rehearsals at St Thomas’s Church on October 15 and 22, at 11am, with mentors leading to a performance at midday on the 22.

The event is free and sponsored by Salisbury BID.

Families can enjoy a fast-paced concert where children can sing, direct, act and compose as three musicians take them through nine stories set to music by some of the world’s greatest songwriters.

Dominic Harlan brings his family show, When Yesterday We Met to the city on October 23 and also mentors on the Celebrate Voice Singing Weekend on the 29 and 30.

Joining Dominic on the popular weekend are award-winning jazz vocalist Ian Shaw, whose concert opens the festival, opera singer Robert Gildon and festival director Lynsey Docherty.

Lynsey said: “Our singing weekend provides a unique opportunity for all ages and abilities to sing together and alongside our festival artists – there are very few opportunities like it in the UK, for whole families to take part.”

The weekend course is £50 for adults and £40 for children, including the Grand Finale concert. To register email info@celebratevoice.co.uk.

Children from seven Salisbury schools will be treading the boards in Tosca, singing alongside professionals from leading opera companies, and directed by Royal Opera House director Julia Burbach.

The children’s chorus will sing in the original Italian in this fully staged opera on October 22, 24, 26, and 28.

For very young members of the community, there will be Celebrate Babies, written by three musicians, it encourages babies and their parents to take part in a story combining classical music and movement, with nursery rhymes and sing-a-longs at the Medieval Hall on October 27, 11am and 2pm.

The festival has seen a bumper uptake in festival tickets this year. With ten days before the launch, the opera, Tosca is nearly sold out, whilst cabaret, jazz, a cappella and folk nights are seeing record ticket sales.

Performances take place in the Medieval Hall, Cathedral Close, the Salisbury Arts Centre, and Godolphin School. Celebrate Voice runs from October 21 to 30.

For the full programme go to celebratevoice.co.uk. Tickets are available by calling Salisbury Arts Centre on 01722 321744.