On December 17, 1944, as World War Two bombs rained down across the country, a group of singers raised their voices for St Albans Choral Society’s first ever concert.

Seven decades on, its numbers have swelled to more than 100 and it has brought joy to countless audiences over the years.

To mark its 70th anniversary, the society is holding a special programme of five concerts designed to reach a wider audience than ever before. It started with the Autumn Reflections concert in November and will also include a collection of hymns and anthems on March 1, an Abbey concert on May 9 and a project involving schoolchildren in a new work about St Albans in July.

But first the singers will perform their ever popular Christmas Celebration concert on December 14.

Longest serving members Rosslyn and Alan French joined in the late 1950s and have sung with many of its conductors over the years, including Keith Swanwick and Peter Clulow.

“The style of concert wear has changed,“ recalls Rosslyn. “It used to be formal evening wear, so the ladies had to either make or buy a long-sleeved black dress. Then in the ‘60s we wore short dresses.“

The soprano-and-bass couple says the choir is a source of great friendships, while recent recruit soprano Victoria Hamilton says singing lifts her spirits after a long day.

“I’ve got quite a stressful job,“ she explains, “and I love the fact that I can forget about work one night a week and do this.“

George Vass, who has been music director for the past 20 years says: “It is a real honour to celebrate these 70 years of musical achievement and contribution to the artistic life of St Albans.“

The society’s Christmas Celebration will be held at Marlborough Road Methodist Church, December 14, 7pm. Details: 07884 231958, choralsociety.com