CELEBRATE Voice is calling for talented youngsters to audition to be part of the Hansel and Gretel Children’s Chorus.

Auditions are for youngsters aged 10 to 16 and take place on Sunday.

This year’s opera, Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, will see 28 young people chosen to create two casts of 14, who will share the four performances at Salisbury’s Medieval Hall. The two casts will receive professional training from musical and stage directors, and sing alongside an international cast of opera singers to create a fully-staged version of the opera, which has been specially-translated into English for Celebrate Voice 2017 in October.

Funded by Wiltshire Music Connect, Celebrate Voice Festival Director, Lynsey Docherty has been leading workshops in local schools over the past two weeks, scouting for talented young performers and bringing the thrill of singing, drama and stage movement to the classroom. Primary schools who have ‘raised the roof’ at the workshops include St Mark’s, Greentrees, Whiteparish All Saints, Alderbury, Stratford-sub-Castle, Downton and Woodlands.

No previous experience is essential from applicants, however a desire to sing, act and perform in a theatre as well as having a positive and committed attitude is. To apply, visit celebratevoice.co.uk/childrensauditions and fill out an application form.

The 2017 festival has also created a new opportunity for talented young jazz, folk, a cappella, musical theatre and cabaret artists to take to the main stages, and become the warm-up acts for the event’s celebrity performers.

Celebrate Voice is looking to audition vocalists between the ages of 16 and 25. Applicants should have performance experience, relish the opportunity of performing in front of a full-house audience and be eager for a career in music.

The festival supports local young people, so applicants should be from Salisbury or the surrounding area (within a 20-mile radius).

Applicants need to email festival manager, Amy Hinds, on info@celebratevoice.co.uk. with information about yourself as a performer, or a short biography, plus a link to a video clip of your performance, in one of the above genres. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to audition for Celebrate Voice on Sunday 16.

The Celebrate Voice festival runs from October 20-29.