Gareth Malone seeks to make stars of youth choir

CHOIRMASTER Gareth Malone is to lead a national talent hunt for his next challenge – to recruit a group of young people and inspire a whole generation.

The music maestro, who has taken his Military Wives group to the top of the charts, wants his next ensemble to record cool contemporary tracks and create a new choral style. And this time, instead of taking raw recruits, he wants teenagers and young adults to apply so he can build the best choir possible.

Malone, who was recognised in the Honours List last year for his work, will take the group on tour around the world and they will have a recording deal.

The choir is expected to record contemporary songs, with Malone’s arrangements, by the likes of Radiohead, Fleet Foxes and Lana Del Rey.

Posters featuring Malone as a Lord Kitchener-style figure with the phrase “your choirmaster needs you” will be put up around the country as he sets about assembling a group of 18 to 25-year-olds.

Malone, who is about to become a father for the second time, said: “My mission is to create a ground-breaking choir …and initiate a new choral style that is fresh, modern and utterly unique.”