Variety is the keynote of Harrow Choral Society’s summer concert this year, with music of different periods, styles and moods.

The choir will sing choral classics spanning six centuries on Saturday, July 6, at St Alban’s Church, North Harrow in a programme which includes well-loved anthems and choruses alongside more contemporary pieces.

“We hope our audience will enjoy the carefully selected combination of familiar classics with works which are less so,” said HCS Chair Peter Miller. “We’ll be singing Parry’s joyous ‘I Was Glad’, written for the coronation of Edward VII and chosen for many royal occasions since, including the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. There will also be pieces by Elizabethan composer William Byrd and the English Baroque master, Henry Purcell.”

The programme will include choruses from popular oratorios by Haydn and Mendelssohn, as well as ‘Alleluia’, an anthem composed by American Randall Thompson in 1940. The most recent work, however, will be by Arvo Pärt, the most-performed living classical composer, entitled ‘Salve Regina’, a serene prayer to the Virgin Mary first performed in 2002.

“Our previous five concerts, including last year’s performance at St Alban’s Church, have attracted capacity audiences and we believe this summer’s programme will have something for everyone with its variety of period, style, mood and tempo.” said Peter Miller. “Singing at St Alban’s Church is always special for Harrow Choral Society because it’s where we were founded over 80 years ago. We feel very comfortable there and are always made to feel extremely welcome.”

Conducting the 100-strong choir will be HCS Music Director, Simon Williams, who combines this role with his work as a Director of the Royal College of Organists and Director of Music at St George’s.

Tickets for the Summer Evening concert can be booked through the choir’s website www.harrowchoral.org.uk or ordered through the Harrow Choral Society box office by calling 020 8863 7830 or emailing boxoffice@harrowchoral.org.uk