The West Cumberland Choral Society will host a 50th anniversary concert.

Music for an April Evening takes place at St James’ Church in Whitehaven on Saturday, April 6 at 7.30pm. The concert begins with the All in the April Evening, under the baton of Music Director Hugh Turpin. A trio of John Rutter songs will follow, including, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, recently performed at the Royal Wedding last May. Mozart’s profound Ave Verum leads into the main work of the concert, Vivaldi’s Gloria -a hugely uplifting sacred choral work, with moments ranging from exuberant genius to intense sorrow. The concert will conclude with a grand finale of choruses from Brahms and Handel’s Messiah.

The arias will be performed by local soloists Gillian Rothery (soprano) and Vanessa Turpin (mezzo), both well known for their many successes in music festivals across the north of England. The choir will be skilfully accompanied by a string quartet, led by renowned violinist and composer, Roland Fudge and St Bees Priory organist Frank Bowler.

The Society was founded in 1948 by the organist and choirmaster of the Whitehaven Lowther Street Methodist Church, John Pape. Following several public performances of Handel’s Messiah, the choir was formally named the West Cumberland Choral Society in 1969. During the past fifty years, the Society has performed a huge variety of choral works, engaging almost four hundred soloists of local, national and international renown.

Refreshments will be served after the concert.

Tickets: £7.50 (students £3, under 18s free). Contact 01946 825255, also available on the door.