WEEKENDS in Chester take on a new musical meaning as the Chester Summer Music Festival gets under way on Saturday, June 30.

More than 1,000 voices will bring Chester alive with song over the first weekend with the infamous Big Sing, back by popular demand and extended to a full weekend.

There will be six singing workshops, a Gospel themed sing-a-long, a community opera, and choirs showcasing their talent on the city streets.

On June 30, choirs from all over the region will be performing in the city centre from 10am–3.30pm and on Sunday a newly commissioned community opera, The Chester Giants, featuring community and local schools can be seen at the Amphitheatre at 1pm and 4pm.

Having sung your heart out the first weekend you can sit back and give your vocals a rest as the second weekend gets under way with Let’s hear it! from July 6-8, a mini festival within a festival, a weekend of non-stop music.

Let’s hear it! features some special lunchtime and evening concerts as well as concerts on the hour, every hour, throughout Saturday and Sunday.

All concerts are based at Chester Town Hall and all afternoon concerts are only £5.

The weekend starts on the Friday with Ian Buckle and Philip Holland’s take on AE Housman in words and music followed by a concert featuring one of the most beautiful works written by Brahms.

The charismatic conductor Vasily Petrenko, the RLPO and the Chester Festival Chorus deliver this remarkable piece and others.

Start Saturday dancing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s brass section with music from the Renaissance to the present day.

Plenty of performers will follow with a varied programme ranging from two of Chetham’s finest students presenting lively chamber music to the winner of the 2011 Classical Brit Awards Vilde Frang on violin and Tine Thing Helseth Jazz Quartet.

Be prepared to be blown away once again on Sunday with more chamber, classical and a cabaret programme to end a fabulous musical weekend.

This year Chester Summer Music Festival will be offering the opportunity for anyone 25 or under to come to any evening concert for just £5. Be sure to book soon as numbers are limited.

For those over 25 the price for tickets has been kept low ranging from £9-£26. Visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or call 0845 241 7868.