Gareth Malone seeks 'contemporary choir' after success of Military Wives

Gareth Malone prepares for his latest BBC musical talent search (Getty Images)

Choirmaster Gareth Malone is to lead a national talent hunt for his next challenge - to recruit a group of young people and inspire a whole generation.

The music maestro, who has taken his Military Wives group to the top of the charts, wants his next ensemble to record cool contemporary tracks and create a new choral style.

And this time, instead of taking raw recruits, he wants teenagers and young adults to apply so he can build the best choir possible.

Malone, who was recognised in the Honours List last year for his work, will take the group on tour around the world and they will have a recording deal.

The choir is expected to record contemporary songs, with Malone's new arrangements, by the likes of Radiohead, Fleet Foxes and Lana Del Rey.

Posters featuring Malone as a Lord Kitchener-style figure with the phrase "your choirmaster needs you" will be put up around the country as he sets about assembling his group of 18 to 25-year-olds.

Malone, who is about to become a father for the second time, said: "My mission is to create a ground-breaking choir, celebrating the amazing talent in our country, and initiate a new choral style that is fresh, modern and utterly unique.

"Our aim will be to inspire a whole generation. Regardless of background, if you have the voice and the vision, I want you."

With his BBC series The Choir, Malone has taken novices to repeated success and with the Military Wives he bagged a Christmas number one.

Malone will team up with producer David Kosten, who has worked with Everything Everything, Bat for Lashes and Guillemots for the project and they will mix choral textures with contemporary recording techniques.

Malone added: "Expect the unexpected."

Auditions are to be held shortly, with further details on http://www.garethmalonechoir.com, and the album will be released later this year.

PA