About 35 young people from the newly formed Albury-Wodonga Young Voices Choir will take to the stage as part of the magical musical evening on Saturday, January 21.

This week their voices could be heard raised in song during final concert rehearsals, including practising their parts in The Toreador Song, ​which will be performed with a full choir and opera scholars.

Director Bohdan Krowicky said the choir had been formed after a group of young singers took part in Opera Australia’s production of The Marriage of Figaro at Albury in August 2016.

The new Young Voices choir is being run under the auspices of Albury-Wodonga Theatre Company and will meet every Tuesday for rehearsals between 4.30pm and 6pm at Wodonga Senior Secondary College’s performing arts centre.

Mr Krowicky said singing in a group was beneficial to a young person’s self-development and helped build community unity.

“In addition to releasing endorphins, singing in a choir helps improve a child’s ability to concentrate for extended periods of time,” he said.

“In keeping with the Kodaly concept, our attitude is that we educate children and music is our medium.”

In fact, one mother told Mr Krowicky she couldn’t wait to join up her two children to the new choir after their experience with the Opera Australia group.

“She told me that every week after choir practice they came back human and would play nicely with each other without all the nonsense,” he said.

The 2017 Opera In The Alps will be held at Beechworth Golf Course with the main performance to start from 8pm.

This year’s line-up includes Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Alexandra Flood Shanul Sharma, Guy Noble and Opera Scholars Australia with The Alpha Sinfonia Orchestra and voiced chorus lead by virtuoso conductor Guy Noble.

For further details or to buy tickets go to www.operainthealps.com.au.