AFTER a successful performance of Brahms’ Requiem in November last year, Langcliffe Singers return to Christ Church, Skipton, on Saturday, April 13 to perform a more reflective programme of settings of beautiful poems.

And in a first for the choir, the performance will be signed by Paul Whittaker OBE, who has been entertaining and educating people about music and deafness at schools and concerts for 30 years.

Under the baton of musical director Darren Everhart, and accompanist Brian Heaton, the concert will take the audience through the course of a day, from dawn to night. It will feature composers from a number of different eras, from Monteverdi to Eric Whitacre via Schubert and the Beatles.

Some of the items in the very varied programme will be quiet and reflective while others will be more upbeat.

Amongst other pieces, the choir will be singing a cheerful madrigal by Claudio Monteverdi (Ecco mormorar l’onde), tributes to the Sun from Schubert (An die Sonne) and Charles Wood (Hail Gladdening Light), a Scottish folk song (Follow the Heron) plus two songs by the Beatles, one sung by the women (Here Comes the Sun) and the other (Here Comes the Moon) by the men.

The performance will end with Sure on this Shining Night by Morten Lauridsen and Underneath the Stars by Kate Rusby.

Paul Whittaker has signed at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, working with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

A choir spokesperson said: "It is a real privilege to welcome him to the Yorkshire Dales, and a fantastic opportunity to experience this inspirational musician, motivational speaker and signer in action. Paul will also be teaching the audience and the choir the BSL signs for the lyrics to Moon River.

"This is the choir’s first time reaching out to the deaf community, and they are very keen to welcome as many local members as possible. "

Any organisation that would like to bring some members along, to discuss group rates email: secretary@langcliffesingers.org.uk.

Tickets are £12 for adults, with free entry for accompanying carers and accompanied children under 16. Tickets are available from the choir website www.langcliffesingers.org.uk and from Car & Kitchen and Forage and Feast, both in Settle. Tickets will also be available on the door. Payment may be made by cash or card.

The concert begins at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available in the interval, and as always there will be a raffle.