LANGCLIFFE Singers will once again be joining forces with members of Skipton Music Centre.

This time, the Settle-based singers will unite with the centre's choir for a performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle in St Michael the Archangel Church, Kirkby Malham, on Saturday.

Both choirs are conducted by Nigel Waugh, who sang for five years with BBC Northern Singers, and has also sung with the William Byrd Choir, the Louis Halsey Singers and the Gabrieli Consort and many other groups.

He has been conductor of Skipton Music Centre Choir and Orchestra for eight years and is keen to give the young singers a chance to take part in a full-scale choral work.

It follows a recent successful collaboration between Langcliffe Singers and members of the centre's senior brass and percussion ensembles.

Rossini wrote Petite Messe Solonnelle in 1863 when he was 71, and described it as "the last of my péchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age)! It was first performed at the dedication of the private chapel of Louise, Comtesse de Pillet-Will, on March 14, 1864, and Rossini dedicated the mass to her.

The singers will be accompanied by Brian Heaton on the piano and David Chapman on the harmonium and soloists will be Sheila Hartley, Julia Glossop, Kenn Green and Richard Williams.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets, priced at £10, are available from Cave and Crag, Bentham Post Office, Skipton Camera Centre or at the door.