A CHOIR wowed the audience with an energetic performance in Malmesbury over the weekend.

The Malmesbury Choir treated the town to a special 10th anniversary performance in Malmesbury Abbey on Saturday, June 17.

Musical director Laurie Jones came up with the idea for the event and envisioned a different type of concert that would encompass a party atmosphere.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Laurie Jones dressed as Freddie Mercury at the Malmesbury Choir Rocks event in Malmesbury AbbeyLaurie Jones dressed as Freddie Mercury at the Malmesbury Choir Rocks event in Malmesbury Abbey (Image: Liz Cook)

During the first half of the concert the choir were dressed in traditional uniform but in the second party half they changed into costumes.

Many members decided to dress up as their favourite singers including ABBA, Prince and Ozzy Osbourne. 

Laurie donned an impressive moustache and a dazzling yellow jacket in tribute to Freddie Mercury while leading the choir in an encore of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Malmesbury Community Choir performing in Malmesbury AbbeyMalmesbury Community Choir performing in Malmesbury Abbey (Image: Liz Cook)

Gabrielle Peers-Dent, performance manager for the choir, said: "Our musical director Laurie Jones wanted to create a different type of concert with a party atmosphere for our 10th anniversary celebration. 

"He has been our musical director since the beginning and his vision, expertise and patience has been unwavering over the years. 

"It was a truly memorable experience when audience members got out of their seats and started dancing in the aisles during our final pieces which included Mr Blue Sky, From Now On from the Greatest Showman and an encore of Bohemian Rhapsody.

"During our performance of A Thousand Years, we projected messages from choir members onto the back wall of the Abbey about what the choir has meant to them including 'Monday night rehearsals can make a bad day feel good and a good day even better' and 'All practices I forget all the stresses of the week and I immerse myself in the singing'."

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Mayor of Malmesbury Gavin Grant and musical director of Malmesbury Community Choir Laurie JonesMayor of Malmesbury Gavin Grant and musical director of Malmesbury Community Choir Laurie Jones (Image: Liz Cook)

Mayor of Malmesbury and Wiltshire councillor Gavin Grant said: "Amazing performance by Malmesbury Choir tonight in Malmesbury Abbey under the inspirational leadership of Laurie Jones, his accompanist Andy Allpass, supported by his superb band. 

"They have created so much joy for so many in our community for the last 10 years and clearly love doing just that.  

"Great to be there to celebrate the choir's 10th anniversary."