DUNFERMLINE Choral Union (DCU) have appointed their first-ever patron ahead of their milestone anniversary.

The singers will mark their 150th year of music-making and have invited local mezzo-soprano and opera star, Frances McCafferty, to join their family and help with the celebrations.

She said: “I am delighted to have been invited to be patron to Dunfermline Choral Union.

“As a guest soloist with them for many years, I already feel part of the DCU family and look forward to our future collaborations.”

The first role for Frances will be hosting the choir’s inaugural event of their 150th season, a “Come and Sing!” day at the Vine Centre in Dunfermline on Saturday.

It’s on from 10am to 6pm and offers a fun and relaxed day, with inspirational musical director Mandy Miller, rehearsing well-known show tunes and opera choruses before ending the day with an informal concert.

And on Monday rehearsals for the Autumn term will begin, with new members welcome.

Frances, who has been living in the city since 1981, trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and then made her professional opera debut with Dublin Grand Opera.

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

From there a career of 25 years as an opera singer followed and in addition to singing with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, on many occasions, she has sung with opera companies in many countries around the world including Norway, Finland, Italy, France and Singapore.

For more information on the choir, go to dunfermlinechoralunion.co.uk.