What do Oasis, Katherine Jenkins and Ray Davies have in common? They have all performed with the Crouch End Festival Chorus, which, this year, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Something of a baby in the world of symphonic choirs, the CEFC have garnered a reputation which belies their relatively young status.

To give you some understanding of just how reputed and sought after their talents are, the CEFC have sung with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, recorded a soundtrack for Disney’s Narnia film Prince Caspian, performed with Oasis for the BBC Electric Proms, worked with celebrated film composer Ennio Morricone, supplied backing for Katherine Jenkins on her Sacred Arias album, and last weekend took to the stage with Kinks frontman Ray Davies for the Kenwood House concert series.

Speaking about their landmark anniversary, musical director and founder David Temple jokes: “It was 25 years to the day on Monday, June 22. Exactly the same day as Virgin Airlines launched.

“I have been trying to get in touch with Richard Branson to see if he will give us millions but no such luck yet.”

On Monday, the CEFC, which began in 1984 with enthusiasts handing out leaflets outside a supermarket, will perform Faure’s Requiem and Vaugan Williams’ Sea Symphony at the Barbican Hall, with a chorus of 145 singers supported by a 65-piece orchestra.

“We love working there,” David, who is one of only five original CEFC members, says of the Barbican. “I would say it is kind of our spiritual home.”

Rather sheepishly I have to admit that I have never seen a choir of that size perform live, which draws gasps and a passionate sell from David.

“Seriously, people who have never heard a choir that big sing at the top of their voices will be completely overwhelmed,” he says. “It’s much more exciting than a rock concert. A rock concert is ear-splittingly loud the whole way through, but with choirs you can go from extremely loud to the tiniest sound and the contrast is quite special.”

Hailing from Newcastle, David moved to Crouch End in 1983 and began his career working as a teacher by day, while at night, and without any formal musical training, he began singing with the London Philharmonic Choir.

“When I was as growing up I had no idea I would ever be involved in music, it all happened by accident,” the now Muswell Hill resident recalls. “When you join a fantastic choir like the London Philharmonic Choir the first thing it does is it makes you feel special, it makes you feel you are doing something more extraordinary than most people. Imagine forming your own choir and then achieveing what we have and it’s that feeling times 100. The confidence it gives you just spurs you on to carry on.”

One of the most inspiring aspects of the CEFC’s work is its openess to all types of musical genre. In fact, David, who is also musical director of the Hertfordshire Chorus, reveals he recently had a call from a “heavy duty rapper”.

So, who is next on the wish list to work with? “Muse and Radiohead,” David utters without much hesitation, explaining they are on his iPod along with Bach and Beethoven. Well, they might just have to join the queue!

The CEFC perform at the Barbican Hall on Monday, July 6, 7.30pm. Tickets: 020 7638 8891 or www.barbican.org.uk (£9.50-£24). For more information about the CEFC visit www.cefc.org.uk