When the rafters of the beautiful and historic Wells Cathedral are filled with music and song later this year, it will be more than just a concert by one of the country's leading choirs. It will also be a celebration of 25 years of friendships, created and sustained by the love of singing.

For 2009 is a sterling silver year for the Somerset Chamber Choir which, over more than two decades, has established a fine reputation for first-class music-making, performing regularly with the UK's finest professional soloists and instrumentalists.

It all began when the choir members – many of whom were former members of the Taunton- based Somerset Youth Choir – found music had become an important part of their social lives, and wanted to find a common ground where they could stay together, as a team, even though they would move to different parts of the country to pursue new careers and vocations.

That was back in 1984, and few dreamt then that they would be still going strong in a new millennium.

The singers – many of whom had changed from sopranos to tenors – sadly couldn't call themselves youths anymore, but the members resolved to return to Somerset for five or six weekends every year to rehearse intensively for two annual concerts.

Over those 25 years, the choir has expanded and continued to recruit talented singers from the county and beyond, and it has established a fine reputation for the quality of its concerts.

Businessman Andrew Coombs, who co-ordinates the choir's publicity and sings tenor, says members come from almost every profession, trade and business, and their ages range from 18 to 60. They use their holidays and spare time to travel from as far afield as Manchester, Yorkshire, Chester and Cornwall for rehearsals.

"We have teachers, doctors, vicars, secretaries, businessmen and women, and even a yoga teacher among our number," he said.

"The choir is a registered charity and ticket sales go towards keeping it together, and meeting the cost of hiring orchestras and professional soloists for our performances.

"I only joined two years ago but many of the members have been with the choir since it was founded. They have all become firm friends and, as well as their love for music, it is a chance to keep in touch with each other.

"We all gather in Taunton five or six times each year, and everyone pays for their own travel expenses and the cost of their clothing. You can imagine that it does cost a lot of money to stage performances these days. As well as the musicians and soloists we have to hire the venues, and an event, such as the one at Wells Cathedral, where we will be celebrating our silver anniversary, it amounts to thousands of pounds."

He adds: "I have no idea why, but the Taunton area is rich in musical talent."

Adrian Male, a former member of the Somerset Youth Choir, was one of the 25 founder members of the Chamber Choir and has been its chairman since 1984.

He said: "From the time of the choir's foundation I have had the privilege of being chairman – a role which I have thoroughly enjoyed and one in which I have, with some pride, watched the choir grow from its uncertain infancy, through the difficult years of adolescence, to full maturity.

"Throughout this time, longstanding close friendships within the choir have been retained, many new members welcomed to the ranks and a host of new friendships made. It is a dynamic organisation and, like any family, needs constant attention to keep it running smoothly.

"The choir's existence is due largely to the determination of a small group of enthusiasts who have shared their time and skills willingly and generously."

Waving the baton and keeping the musicians in time is professional musician Graham Caldbeck. He said: "Since I first conducted the Somerset Chamber Choir in a large-scale concert in 1990, the choir has continued to extend its expertise in an ever-widening repertoire and provided its audience with impressive programmes of the finest choral music sung to the highest standard.

"Variety of repertoire has required a variety of instrumental forces and the choir has been accompanied by piano, organ, harp, baroque and modern orchestras, brass and percussion, and even hand bells and a saxophone quartet.

"What is particularly encouraging is that the choir has not only extended its musical confidence and range, but in doing so has also increased its audience over a larger area, giving concerts in Devon and Dorset, as well as regular performances in Taunton, Wells and elsewhere in Somerset."

The choir is on the lookout for new talent and even a chance to join in the main anniversary event in Wells Cathedral on July 25, when the singers will be joined by international artiste Emma Kirkby plus four other fine soloists (Sophie Bevan, Tim Mead, Nathan Vale, and Derek Welton) and top baroque orchestra Canzona. Graham Caldbeck will direct a programme of Handel's Dixit Dominus, Vivaldi's Gloria, Charpentier's Te Deum, and Jonathan Harvey's The Angels.

Andrew Coombs said: "Any talented singers wishing to join the choir in this concert can visit our website www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk for membership information – rehearsals will be over three weekends in April and July.

"For those wishing to experience the concert from the more relaxed perspective of the audience, tickets will be available on 01275 349010 from May. Please do join us for this special evening – the choir is sure to be in celebratory mood!"

To round off the year, the choir hopes to inspire the next generation of singers in Somerset by holding a workshop day on Carmina Burana, plus other works, for members of youth and school choirs in Somerset.

"Having achieved so much in the past 25 years, the choir is very much looking forward to the next 25!" said Andrew.