Celebration of choral music

A CELEBRATION of 20th Century choral music will be coming to Crowthorne this weekend.

To celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, Thames Voyces will be holding a concert at St John the Baptist Church on Saturday, November 11, featuring pieces written by Benjamin Britten, Herbert

Howells, Oliver Messiaen and Francis Poulenc, conducted by their musical director Nick Austin and accompanied by Ben Giddens.

The concert includes Howells’ Requiem and also his motet, “Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing” described by one of his pupils as “a classic of 20th century choral music”.

The motet was premiered at Washington’s National Gallery of Art as part of the Canadian tribute to the late President John F Kennedy.

The programme is completed by two pieces by French composers who were contemporary but wrote in very differing styles.

Francis Poulenc is the better known of the two, and the choir performed one of his pieces last year. This time, they are performing his Gloria which is considered to be one of his most beloved pieces.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14, £12 for concessions, under

16s are free when accompanied by an adult. To order call 0118 9677319 or email secretary@thamesvoyces.org.uk. Tickets will be available on the night.

For more information visit http:// www.thamesvoyces.org.uk.