THE Ross Penyard Singers have been rehearsing since January for their summer concert, ‘Shakespeare in Song’.

Sammy Martin, their Musical Director, has put together a varied programme featuring songs from ‘West Side Story’(famously inspired by ‘Romeo and Juliet’), as well as other songs that use Shakespeare’s words and enhances their power with a musical setting. The Singers like to feature female composers in their concerts, and this one is no exception, with music by Emma Lou Diemer and Ruth Morris Gray amongst others.

The Shakespeare in Song concert takes place on Saturday, June 20 at 7pm at St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye.

Tickets are priced at £10 and are available through the chior’s website: rosspenyardsingers.org.uk or available from choir members or at the door.

There is no charge for under 18s. The concert has been generously supported by a grant from Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

The Ross Penyard singers will be raising money through their raffle at the concert for two very good local causes - @the Hub and the St Mary’s Spire in Peril Fund.

From July, the singers will be embarking on rehearsals for their winter concert, featuring music from ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ by Karl Jenkins, which was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Kathleen Gray, chairwoman of the Ross Penyard Singers said: "If you are considering joining a choir, we are very inclusive and don’t expect people to be able to read music or have any previous singing experience.

“We meet on Wednesdays at 7pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, opposite the church, and have a break for a cup of tea and a chat half-way through. We are a very friendly bunch of people and would be delighted to welcome any new singers.”