SETTLE Orchestra will continue its 50th anniversary season by joining forces with Langcliffe Singers for two performances of Brahms' A German Requiem.

This is the latest in a long line of very successful collaborations between the two groups, who have been performing regularly together for 25 years.

Howard Rogerson became conductor of Settle Orchestra in 1992, and he saw an opportunity to undertake combined orchestral/choral works by joining forces with Langcliffe Singers, a group founded by his wife, Valerie Baulard.

Together, the orchestra and choir have performed many different programmes, including Mendelssohn's Elijah, Verdi's Requiem and two opera galas.

In 2001 the two ensembles travelled together on the Settle-Carlisle railway to perform a concert in Appleby marking the 125th anniversary of the line.

Langcliffe Singers were invited to sing in Howard's final concerts as conductor of the orchestra in 2007, when the programme took the form of the Last Night of the Proms.

Brahms wrote the Requiem between 1865 and 1868, with the first performance taking place in Bremen Cathedral on Good Friday, April 10, 1868.

Brahms himself conducted and the evening was said to have marked a turning point in his career.

The choir has been rehearsing under the baton of musical director Nigel Waugh, who will hand over to Settle Orchestra's guest conductor, Elspeth Slorach, for the performances.

Ellie graduated from the University of Manchester in 2015 with a first class degree in music.

She is currently studying for a postgraduate degree in conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and is musical director of both Hallam Choral Society and Preston Orpheus.

Soloists will be Charlotte Trepess (soprano) and James Berry (baritone), who are also studying at the Royal Northern College of Music.

A spokesman from Settle Orchestra said: "All at Settle Orchestra are delighted to be working with Langcliffe Singers again as part of this very special season, and the performances of this exciting and popular work will be a fitting celebration of the special relationship between the two."

The concerts will also include the Manfred Overture by Schumann.

The first of the two concerts will be held on Saturday, March 18, at the Richard Whiteley Theatre, Giggleswick, and the second will take place on Saturday, March 25, at Christ Church, Skipton.

Tickets costing £12 are available from Cave and Crag, Settle, Bentham Post Office, Skipton Camera Centre and on the door.