Mozart is represented by the popular anthem Ave Verum, the wonderful soprano aria Laudate Dominum from the Vesperae solennes de confessore K.339 and a neglected gem, the Kyrie K.341, thought to have been planned as the opening movement of a Mass in D minor but never completed. Some of East Anglia’s finest string players will accompany the Voices and they will be featured in the popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

After the interval it will be all Schubert. ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’ was originally written for a ladies’ choir and piano but Ian Humphris was asked to arrange it for full choir to be sung at the Memorial Service for his close friend and colleague, the tenor Wynford Evans who died last September. This arrangement for Choir and Strings will receive its first performance in Halesworth.

The major work of the evening will be Schubert’s delightful Mass in G. Written when he was only 18, it shows the young composer already in full melodic flow. Richard Fallas, from nearby Harwich will be the bass soloist and Jonathan Alder from even nearer Wenhaston will be the baritone soloist. The soprano will be a brilliant young student from the Royal Academy of Music.

There is still just enough time for keen singers to join Halesworth Festival Voices and take part in this lovely music, and indeed new members are always assured of the warmest of welcomes. Rehearsals are on Mondays at the United Reformed Church, Quay Street, from 7.15 to 9.15 p.m.

As soon as the May concert is over, we begin rehearsals for our performance in the Halesworth Arts Festival, which takes place between 9th to 24th October. Our concert is on Saturday October 16th and it is an all-Fauré programme. The international star soloist will be Stephen Varcoe and the highlight will be the very popular Requiem. The programme will also include the Pavane, Sicilienne, Madrigal, Cantique de Jean Racine, and some solo songs with new orchestral arrangements by Ian Humphris.