On a balmy Sunday afternoon in April,Oxford Town Hall resounded to the Hallelujah Chorus sung as the finale of our first Community Choirs concert, which attracted 250 singers from eight local choirs, and an audience of over 300. Marie-Jane Barnett, the Oxfordshire High Sheriff and herself a jazz singer, wanted to mark the end of her year in office by bringing together a number of contrasting choirs representing the complete community mix in Oxford, in a communal singing celebration. With two Gospel choirs, Summertown Choral Society, Oxford City Singers, Blackbird Leys Choir, Vox Steady – Oxford’s rock choir, Oxford Adventist Choir and the Christian Life Centre Choir all parts of the community were represented. John Lubbbock, well known for his community work in Oxford, was the conductor. Ticket proceeds went to the Oxford Community Foundation (a charity run by local people that makes grants to other voluntary groups across the county). Such a success deserves to be repeated next year.