THE 150th anniversary of a historic Dunfermline choir is being celebrated in a series of events.

Dunfermline Choral Union (DCU) was first formed in 1874 and currently has more than 100 members practicing weekly.

They perform special concerts at Christmas as well as during summer and spring.

Highlights from this year include a sell-out performance of Sir Karl Jenkin's 'The Armed Man' and 'Magnificat' by John Rutter, and a special performance at St Fillan's Church in Aberdour as part of the church's 900th anniversary.

As previously reported by the Press, the choir will kick off this sesquicentennial season with a Come and Sing event at The Vine in Dunfermline.

It has been sponsored by Fife Council, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and OnFife.

Linda Rae, one of the volunteers who organise the group, said: "It is for people who wouldn't normally join a choir.

"I always wanted to join a choir but it's really an opportunity for people who don't but would like it.

"We will go through a series of rehearsals and then have lunch and coffee.

"It's to give people a taster to see if they like it and to see if they want to join us."

She hopes that more people, particularly younger people, can be attracted to join in.

The relaxed day, to be held on August 12, will be spent rehearsing a programme of songs from musicals and well-loved opera choruses under the guidance of musical director Mandy Miller.

The finale will be a short informal concert for friends and family in the evening.

"It's not just for singing, it can help with mental health, wellbeing," Linda continued.

"It is about giving people the opportunity to do all these things without committing, it's about giving it a go."

The group are also in discussions with Fife Council about a Christmas light switch-on performance.

They will be celebrating their 150th year together with a residential trip to Pitlochry as well as a dinner with current and former members at Garvock House Hotel.

In addition, DCU has appointed its first patron, opera singer Frances McCafferty.

Frances was born and raised in Edinburgh before moving to Dunfermline in 1981.

For several years she was a peripatetic singing instructor for Central Regional Council before accepting a contract with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Her singing career spanned 25 years and as well as singing with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden on many occasions, she has performed with opera companies in Norway, Finland, Italy, France and Singapore.

She retired from opera in 2018, having created the role of Miss Forcible for the Royal Opera in the world premiere of Coraline, based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman.

DCU is also this year celebrating its musical director, Mandy Miller's, 30th anniversary in her role.

She started with the choir in 1993 and has been Head of Music in Lochgelly High School since 1987.

She went on to found the Dunfermline Junior Chorus in 2005 which now has a membership of approximately 100 young people aged between six and 17 years.

Members have performed at New York's Carnegie Hall as well as London's Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.