RAISING voices is what Ewa Salecka and Greg Birch do best. Since arriving in York two years ago, they have set up two community choirs that between them boast more than 170 singers.

Musical director Ewa and pianist Greg have been virtually non-stop in their music-making in the city with their main choral projects, Millegro York Contemporary Choir and Prima Vocal Ensemble – both of which singers can join without having to audition.

The next concert on the horizon is later this month when Prima Vocal Ensemble appear at the Grand Opera House, York in a Choral Summer Spectacular.

This show will feature guest musicians and, as always with the two choirs, Polish musician Ewa’s own arrangements, including the choral premiere of Ravel’s Bolero. The concert will also feature a tribute to the music of the late York composer John Barry.

For Ewa, the choirs are all about their members. “They prove, time and time again, the wealth of musical talent here in York. I’m constantly overwhelmed by the cultural depth in this city and the willingness of our singers to embrace a challenge,” she says. “As a musical director, it’s nothing short of inspirational and it gives me the flexibility to do more than just bouncy pop songs, allowing us to explore more captivating musical avenues.

“I’m eternally grateful that the groups allow me to be so creative and I want to shout to the world how good they are.”

Greg says: “Ewa’s dynamic style feeds off this passion and electricity from our members, and as a result rehearsals can be a real powerhouse of creative energy.”

Prima Vocal Ensemble, which has just celebrated its first anniversary, was designed to appeal to a wide circle of singers and has more than 90 members, including those travelling from Selby, Malton, Haxby, Poppleton, Stamford Bridge and Knaresborough.

New members are welcome for both choirs, and with more projects coming up, now is perfect time to join either group.

“We’d still like to hear more from the tenors and basses that we know are out there – the door is always open for them to get involved with these exhilarating and wholeheartedly satisfying projects,” say the couple.

Millegro recently recorded a winter choral album, to be released at Christmas and in September will appear at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in A Grand Night For Singing.

Tickets for Prima Vocal Ensemble’s Choral Summer Spectacular at the Grand Opera House, York on Wednesday, June 22, are available now priced £10.50, £5 & £7 at the box office, through Ticketmaster or grandoperahouseyork.org.uk

• More information on the choirs can be found at millegro.com and primavocalensemble.co.uk