SHIPS, Seals and Swans is the intriguing and rather poetic title of the next Ghyll Singers concert.

The ladies choir's musical director Deborah Milledge has put together a programme ranging from 16th and 17th century madrigals to 21st century music for the popular choristers hometown concert in the informal supper room at Ulverston's Coronation Hall tonight (7.30pm).

The title of the show - Ships, Seals and Swans - relates to three items included in the programme.

The Ships of Arcady is an evocative setting by Michael Head describing ships in the morning mist; it dates from 1941, the year the choir was founded. The Seal Lullaby is a favourite of the choir. Written in 2004 by US composer Eric Whitacre, and later arranged by him for female voices, it uses the text of Rudyard Kipling’s poem describing a mother seal singing to her baby. Also featured is Orlando Gibbons' The Silver Swan, a 17th century madrigal based on the legend that swans sing before they die. Familiar items such as The Music of the Night by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Burt Bacharach’s Close to You are also in the programme. Well respected musician Margaret Harrison will be accompanist.

In addition to the choir’s performance, there will be musical items from some of the talented young musicians from across the Cartmel and Grange area.

The Ghyll Singers were founded by the Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild in Ulverston in 1941 and regularly perform around Furness and South Lakeland. In March they beat off stiff competition to win the Ladies Choir class at South Cumbria Musical Festival.

Tickets for tonight's performance are available from choir members; on 01229-588684 or at the door.