Now in its 17^th year, the Boite Millennium Chorus connects singers from across the state in celebration of cultural diversity and a sense of belonging.

Albury resident Robert Reed didn’t take up singing until earlier this year when he decided to have a crack at the Yackandandah Folk Festival.

“A friend got me onto it because I have a deep voice,” he said. “Taking up singing was always on my bucket list.”

Mr Reed was looking forward to Saturday – with a healthy dose of nerves.

“I don’t claim to be a good singer, but I try,” he said.

“My father was a good singer, and I was always told at school to stand up the back and hum.”

Hosted by musical organisation Boite, the concert is the culmination of 10 weeks of rehearsals in eight regional centres and will fill Hamer Hall with the tropical sounds of the Caribbean. 

The thematic inspiration for this year’s Windrush concert is the story of migration from Jamaica to post-war UK. 

Artistic director Geoffrey Williams’ original compositions tell the personal tale of his parents’ journey, emigrating from sunny Jamaica to a cold and dreary London. 

This journey was the beginning of a mass migration from the Caribbean to the UK, which profoundly influenced the cultural and political fabric of England.  

When the former navy ship HMS Windrush left Jamaica the immigrants on board became known as the Windrush Generation. 

They brought with them the very essence of Jamaica, and the concert features traditional Jamaican and classic Reggae songs such as Rankin' Full Stop, Police and Thieves and Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.

Choir leader Shannon Anderson said it was a privilege to be apart of such a grand spectacle. 

“It’s a really fun project because you’ve got people all over learning the same songs and coming together to do this performance,” she said.

Ms Anderson, who also leads Border womens’ choir Vital Voices, said having 300 people singing simultaneously would be a unique experience.

“It takes it to a whole other level,” Ms Anderson said.

“You’re a part of this big sea of voices that just carries you.

“The pressure is off.

“It’s not about you as a soloist.

“It’s more accessible really, and a bigger sound.”

Along with the 300 choral singers, the concert will also feature a reggae house band, steel drummer Alvin Rostant and dancer Jigzie Campbell among others.

To book tickets for Saturday’s show, visit artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2016/world-jazz-folk/the-boite-windrush.