THE 75 strong Marches Choir conducted by Alistair Auld is staging their spring concert in Bishop’s Castle on Saturday.

They will be joined by the Marches Sinfonia, a symphony orchestra (led by Ann Tupling), as well as two professional soloists, Nicholas Morris (baritone) and Caroline Clarke (soprano).

The main featured work is Brahms’ German Requiem. A choral masterpiece, its power lies in the masterful musical setting of the carefully chosen texts that reach transcendental heights of expression, through intricate harmonies, woven through strongly formed melodic lines, and of course a symphonic sound that only a master of orchestration such as Brahms could convey.

Members of the choir will also be joined by talented local soprano soloist, Caroline Clarke, from All Stretton and has sung the piece at Birmingham Symphony Hall, as well as baritone soloist Nick, who has sung with them twice before in Handel’s Messiah and Dvorak’s Stabat Mater.

The Marches Sinfonia will perform Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Violin Concerto, with Ayla Sahin, a rising star at the Royal Academy of Music, as violin soloist.

St John’s Church in Bishops Castle has recently been fitted with new facilities.

It is a grade II listed building with many fine features. St John’s church was built towards the end of the C13th to serve a mediaeval

planted town controlled by the Bishops of Hereford.

Only the tower remains of that church, which was completely re-built in 1869-60 by Thomas Nicholson.

The present building in the Victorian Gothic style is spacious and well-proportioned.

The Marches Choir concerts attract large audiences and this performance is an opportunity to enjoy some wonderful music in a fine setting.

It will be an opportunity for people to enjoy two of the finest examples of classical music.

The concert begins at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10, children and students free. Call 01588 650448 or buy at the door.