Every voice counts for Sine Nomine Singers, who are celebrating the choir's 50th anniversary this year.

The chamber choir is made up of just 20 singers, led by conductor Helen Vickery, a graduate from the Royal Academy of Music. But despite having so few members, Sine Nomine can boast an impressive repertoire, having performed carols by candlelight for Princess Michael of Kent, as well as a whole host of classical masterpieces, including as Bach's Mass in B minor and Handel's Messiah.

David Collier, founder and one of the few remaining original members, was recently given an award by Hillingdon Arts Association for his services to the choir and arts across the borough. He explains: "When we first started, we were a madrigal choir with very few members, and much of our work was a cappella.

"We wanted to do something different and, despite being small, we have never had a problem performing whatever we put our minds to - we simply adopted the ethos that every voice counts.

"One of our former conductors, Michael Rose, really made his mark on the choir in the 1980s. He had a lot of new ideas that were virtually unheard of at the time, and really set the standard for chamber choirs as a whole. He was a hard act to follow but all his successors, especially current conductor Helen Vickery, have all helped Sine Nomine to thrive.

"I think one of the reasons the choir has lasted so long is simply because we all enjoy singing so much. We practise on a Monday, which can be slightly arduous at times, particularly if the weather is cold and wet, but everyone gets such a burst of energy and endorphins after performing - it's just like going for a run, fantastic exercise and fantastic fun, too."

One of David's happiest memories is when the choir performed Bach's Mass in B minor at St Martin's Church in Ruislip: "The whole experience was so exciting and it was really magical to sing with an orchestra. Hundreds of people turned up and it was a great feeling to see how much they enjoyed the performance.

"Shows like Operatunity, Maestro and The Choir have helped spark the enthusiasm for choral performances and, collectively, we are extremely proud to have reached this benchmark," David says.

To mark its 50th anniversary, Sine Nomine Singers is performing Haydn's Creation, a celebration of the creation of the world as described in the biblical book of Genesis, on Saturday at All Saints Church in Long Lane, Hillingdon.

Tickets cost £10 (accompanied children free) and are available at the door or by calling 020 8933 7908.

Find out more about the choir at www.sinenomine.org.uk.