Howllo Fellow Hound and singing hound lovers:

Music lovers may say they sound ruff, but there’s no doubting a new choir making waves on the arts scene has an unusual pedigree. Artist Richard Higlett has decided that after having to listen to their masters’ voices for years, it’s time dogs were given one of their own.

He has selected eight to form the Canine Choir, which will perform live at a publicly-funded festival.

They were auditioned for their ability to sing’ on demand, or howl, accompanied by human musicians.

Edward the basset hound, bass, and tenor Angus the Jack Russell are backed by Bruno, a Yorkshire terrier, Zack the collie, Eva the Alsatian, Hollywood the bichon frise and shih-tzus Ben and Buster.

They will perform a free concert next month during Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts.

Yesterday they were filmed in a recording studio having their voices mixed by Brian Breeze who worked with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page to a symphonic background. The footage and recording will form part of an exhibition at the festival. The scheme was the idea of Locws, a Swansea arts charity, which has declined to reveal the cost.

Project head Grace Davies said: Ben and Buster suffered stage fright and it was difficult to get anything out of them. Otherwise, it went very well.’

The music A Song For Jack is dedicated to Swansea Jack, a retriever said to have saved the lives of 27 drowning people during the Thirties.

Mr Higlett said: There were some surprisingly harmonious melodies, particularly from Edward and Eva. I’ve found a few potential stars.

I felt it a fitting homage to Swansea Jack. The music is quite classical. It will be a celebration of the relationship between dogs and people.’

But the choir, funded by the Arts Council for Wales and the Welsh National Assembly, was criticised yesterday by Tory assembly member Alun Cairns.

He said: There appears to be no artistic merit in it. It is one of those loony schemes which soaks up taxpayers’ money and gives artists a bad name.

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Ahhhhhhhhhhh, look at the basset hound! How cute! I bet Emma could have really added a lot to that group. I hope to keep us all updated on this cool choir.

More Howlin’ Later…Cat, Chaps and Emma

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