ROSS-on-Wye Choral Society celebrates its 50th season this year with a foray into the world of jazz for its autumn concert.

The event takes place in the town’s St Mary’s Church at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 3.

A spokesperson for the society said: “We are performing Mass in Blue by British composer Will Todd. This was first performed as a jazz mass when commissioned by the Hertfordshire Chorus in 2003.

“It calls for a small jazz ensemble of piano, percussion, bass and alto sax, provided by the Musical and Amicable Society from graduates of the Birmingham Conservatoire jazz faculty. The soprano soloist is Hannah Davey who is equally at home in classical or jazz. The mass lasts a little under 40 minutes and is a thrilling work to sing and listen to.

“The first part of the concert will be the more familiar Hymn of Praise by Felix Mendelssohn. This is a cantata which forms the greater part of the composer’s Second Symphony. It contains five choral numbers, two of which are with soloists. Hannah Davey will also be singing in this, together with tenor Gethin Lewis, and Hannah will be joined by a member of the society to sing the wonderful duet I Waited For The Lord. 

Tickets are available from Rossiters Books in Ross-on-Wye or from the ticket secretary on 01989 563328.