ROSS Choral Society is celebrating 30 years since the release of John Rutter’s Requiem with a concert on Saturday (December 5).

Soprano Rosanna Harris, who has a strong family link with the society, will take centre stage at St Mary’s Parish Church to perform the 40-minute masterpiece which is believed to contain haunting melodies.

The celebration also coincides with John Rutter turning 70 in September.

Rosanna recently completed five years of study at The Royal Northern College of Music, with a place in the chorus at Holland Park Opera this summer.

Rosanna, whose granny used to sing as a member of Ross Choral Society, last sang in Herefordshire at St Catherine’s Hoarwithy in 2014 in the Herefordshire Festival of Churches. There is a six-piece orchestra plus organ for the Requiem including flute, oboe, cello, harp, timpani and glockenspiel.

The other two choral works are Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams, both seasonal favourites, and the all-English programme is completed with Britten’s lyrical song-cycle On this Island sung by Rosanna Harris with John Merrick accompanying her on the piano.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at Rossiter’s Books, Mervyn James and on the door. Enquiries call 01989 563328.