On Saturday 9th July, Dorchester Abbey will be ringing to the music of George Fredrick Handel, and the organisers have issued an open invitation to local singers to come and perform with them!

Dorchester Abbey is one of Oxfordshire's premiere classical music venues. Renowned choral animateur Richard Smith, who will be conducting the afternoon rehearsals and evening concert, is confident that visiting singers will rise to the challenge. "There seems to be something of a renaissance of choral music happening in Britain at the moment, with more and more people wanting to sing. What better way to encourage and celebrate that, than with the great choruses of Handel, who did so much to establish our wonderful choral tradition?". Singers will spend the afternoon rehearsing a selection of Handel's best-loved works, including the famous Halleluja Chorus and the Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest, along with sections from the oratorios Samson, Solomon and Alexander's Feast. They will then be joined by a small orchestra, and soprano soloist Hannah Medlam, for an early evening public concert at which their friends and family can listen to the fruits of their hard work. Singers and audience members can book tickets from Wantage Choral Society by calling 01235 223252 or visiting the society's website www.wantagechoralsociety.co.uk All the necessary music will be supplied on the day.

Based on information supplied by Catriona Galbraith.