Local choir Ross Penyard Singers are returning for their first live Christmas concert in two years this December.

After a delay of 18 months, choir members are delighted to be rehearsing once again, in preparation for their winter concert on Saturday, December 4 at 7pm in St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye. They are especially pleased to have welcomed some new singers into their ranks this season.

The Singers will be performing some of their favourite pieces of classical music : Faure’s ’Requiem’, the Credo from Puccini’s ’Messa di Gloria’ and Handel’s ’Zadok the Priest’ amongst them. The choir will be accompanied at the concert by the organist Adrian Taylor, playing on the beautiful organ at St Mary’s. Tickets will be on sale for £10, which includes a raffle ticket.

This will be the final concert by the choir to be conducted by Peter Johnson, the choir’s Musical Director. Peter has been involved with the choir for several years, first as a very accomplished pianist and then latterly as a very knowledgeable conductor. Peter is leaving to concentrate on other commitments in Malvern, and the choir wish him well in all his new endeavours. This does mean that the Singers will be looking for a new Musical Director for 2022.

If you think that you might be interested in this position, then please contact Chairman, Laurence Pegrum at [email protected] . Getting into the festive spirit the choir will also be singing carols at Labels store on Saturday, December 11 from 11am until 12.30pm. Visitors are encouraged to come along and join the group for some Christmas carols and get in the festive spirit.