English and French composers rub shoulders in the East Oxford Community Choir’s forthcoming concerts.

These are held partly to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but also in recognition of the Anglo-French relationship forged by the choir over its 12 years of existence.

Entitled Alps and Spires, the concerts will see the EOCC being joined by singers and musicians from Oxford’s twin town of Grenoble, in the latest of the choir’s many exchange visits. An unusual feature this time will be a nine-strong brass ensemble, made up of players from both cities.

The programme will include works by Fauré, Poulenc and Elgar, as well as the premiere of a new setting of William Blake’s Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright by local composer John Duggan.

In a neat piece of symmetry, John made his composing debut with the East Oxford Community Choir, and has since written for other local choirs, including Commotio and his own choir Sospiri, as well as commissions around the country. He has also recently been awarded a creative arts fellowship at Wolfson College. But writing for the EOCC is, for John, a particular joy.

“They’ve always been incredibly enthusiastic and supportive, even when I’ve challenged them with something that takes time to get right,” he says. “And they’re always keen to do more, which is great.

“I workshopped the piece recently, which was exciting as I hadn’t heard it before, and the choir approached it with great enthusiasm. I’ve never seen so many people in the choir before — it‘s absolutely at full strength, and that’s very heartening to see.”

John’s new work is for SATB choir and brass, and he admits it took him out of his comfort zone. “I’ve never written for a brass ensemble, but I did my homework about ranges and so on, and asked a few brass players for advice. So it was exciting, and it seemed to suit the sound of the poem.

“The aim was to write a piece the community choir could take on — not fearsomely difficult, but at the same time something they could enjoy singing. A lot of it is upbeat and fast, with brass motifs, but as I was working on it I discovered a couple of verses that suggested a more contemplative air. So I had something more legato, which provides a nice contrast.”

Other pieces include Elgar’s Give Unto The Lord, Poulenc’s Gloria and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, plus other short pieces for four horns and voices.

The link with Grenoble choir Interlude has been a feature of the EOCC since its early days, and one they have maintained and built on with great enthusiasm.

“It has been amazing,” says John. “It’s been going over ten years, and involved an exchange visit at least once a year. That’s the whole point behind it — to get a genuine cultural exchange. That’s a success story as far as twinning goes, and it’s great to be involved.”

Alps and Spires is at St John the Evangelist Church, Iffley Road, on May 18 and Witney Methodist Church on May 19. For tickets, visit http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ ticketsoxford/