‘Uplifting and happy” is how choir director Jules Francis describes the Oxford Gospel Choir’s forthcoming concerts at the Town Hall. Soul in the City sees the choir joining forces with ACM Gospel Choir, semi-finalists in the BBC’s Last Choir Standing in 2008, for a one-off event that is sure to have audiences leaving with a spring in their step.

“We make such a good sound when we’re all together,” says Jules. “There are 25 in ACM and nearly 100 in the Oxford Gospel Choir, so put us together and it’s a really big sound. It’s nice to do something jubilant and exciting in central Oxford at a time when there are lots of things going on the UK to do with the Olympics and the Jubilee, and the Town Hall’s a fantastic space for the choir.”

The two choirs will do individual sets as well as joint songs, and the emphasis is very much on inspirational, joyful music, covering not just Gospel but also pop, funk and soul.

“We’re doing a song called Proud, which was originally done by the M People, and was used for the Olympics in the past, as it’s a really inspirational song. It’s positive and inspirational songs throughout the set — that’s what Gospel’s all about, really.”

Gospel music, of course, is associated with Christianity, but Jules is keen to emphasise that the concert is not just for Christians — there is something for everybody to enjoy.

‘The choir has people of all faiths and all abilities and all ages, which is what’s so fantastic — you don’t have to believe, as long as you can portray the inspirational words of the song We want to make sure it’s accessible for everybody, whether you have a faith or not.”

July 13 and 14; for tickets go to http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford, or call 01865 305305.