A HOWARD Goodall choral work is one of two major works featured in the next Kendal South Choir concert.

The popular choristers return to the stage on Saturday, November 24 (7.30pm) at Kendal's St Thomas’s Church, performing two very beautiful and contrasting works, one of which is Howard's deeply moving Eternal Light: A Requiem. Howard, who is probably best known for his television and film music, and one of the finest contemporary classical music composers, has mixed the traditional requiem mass text with a variety of powerful poems. The composition was commissioned in 2008 and written to mark the 20th anniversary of the ensemble London Musici; Howard’s requiem centres on those who are left behind to grieve. He describes Eternal Light as a Requiem for the living, using poetry readings and hymns alongside the more familiar text of the mass, to focus on interrupted lives.

The second piece in Kendal South's programme is The Sprig of Thyme by John Rutter, comprising 11 traditional folk songs from around the British Isles, some well known, others less so.

Stepping into the spotlight as soloists are soprano, Emily Robinson (pictured), tenor, Sean Brines and baritone, Charles Murray. The choir and soloists will be accompanied by a small orchestra with Geoffrey Field and Alex Phillips-Yates on keyboards all under the deft direction of Don Gillthorpe.

Tickets from Made in Cumbria, Kendal, choir members or at the door.