SKIPTON Choral Society’s summer concert will include examples of the wider repertoire which their musical director, Toby Wardman is developing.

Previous concerts have included Haydn’s Creation; masses by Dvorak, Vaughan Williams and Rossini; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Bach’s St John Passion; Stainer’s Crucifixion and Beethoven’s Choral Symphony – all part of the staple diet of many choral societies.

But, next Saturday, July 2, the audience at Christ Church, Skipton, will hear a selection of pieces ranging from 17th century merry madrigals to a 21st century jazz mass. Juicy barbershop harmonies will jostle for space alongside songs by the minimalist composer Philip Glass.

The Finnish composer Jussi Chydenius, who spent 12 years as a drummer in a rock band, combines a traditional choral sound with influences from pop and jazz to create works that are fresh, vibrant, and accessible, as shown in two songs – The Look and The Kiss.

The choir will also sing four gentle Estonian lullabies by Veljo Tormis, who said "It is not I who makes use of folk music, it is folk music that makes use of me."

Franz Josef Haydn provides a jocular comment on harmony in marriage with his piece Die Harmonie in der Ehe.

This mix of styles should provide a fascinating evening for anyone interested in music. Linguists will appreciate the challenge of singing in English, German, Latin, and Estonian in one concert.

The singers will be accompanied by the jazz trio of Jerry Davies (piano), Adam Hopkins (percussion) and Martin Hopkins (electric bass).

The concert starts at 7.30 pm and tickets costing £8.50 are available from treasurer Sheila Bloomfield on 01756 751879

or 07933 925875 or email bloomfieldsd55@gmail.com