We are writing to warmly invite you to become part of The Great North Passion, an ambitious live broadcast for Good Friday 2014 and a unique collaboration between the BBC and The Cultural Spring.

The event is a contemporary re-telling of the Passion story, featuring an exciting combination of live performance, music and art and will be broadcast live on BBC One on Good Friday 18th April from Bents Park in South Shields. It's set to be a truly memorable occasion, with a large participating audience in Bents Park and the hour-long programme will be broadcast live throughout the UK. While Good Friday is one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar the event is very much intended to resound with viewers and participants of all faiths and none.

We are bringing together singers from across the North East to join our massed choir. We are looking for experienced four-part harmony singers to lead the choir. Enthusiastic but less experienced singers are welcome to apply for unison choir tickets (please mark the appropriate box on the application form, stating how many tickets you would like). The choir will play a pivotal role in the live event, singing choral music and hymns, as well as contemporary and spiritual songs, and performing with well-known soloists, in an open-air setting. http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/news/the-great-north-passion-new-commission.shtml

If you would like to take part we ask that you are able to attend a choir rehearsal, on Sunday 13th April from 3.00pm-6.00pm at South Shields Community School, Nevinson Avenue, South Shields, NE34 8BT and a dress rehearsal on the evening of Thursday 17th April (time tbc). Call times for the broadcast are still to be confirmed, but it's likely that you will be required throughout the morning of 18th April until lunchtime.

There are a limited number of places available for each voice part and singers will be chosen on levels of experience and to give a good representation of choirs in the North East. The choir layout will be in SATB formation. While we can’t guarantee that everyone will get a place we will be able to let you know by the beginning of March if you have been successful.

Choir directors can apply on behalf of their choir, or choir members can copy the application form and apply individually or in small groups. Choir participants must be aged over 10 years on 18th April 2014. Choir members aged 10 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please complete the attached ticket application form and return as soon as possible and no later than Friday 4th April to thegreatnorthpassion @bbc.co.uk or by post to Lindsey Hammond, The Great North Passion, BBC North, 1st Floor, Dock House, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2LH.

For further information please contact 0161 335 8408.

We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you there.

With very best wishes

Lindsey Hammond Assistant Producer, The Great North Passion BBC Religion and Ethics