THREE of the region's top choral outfits will be hitting the high notes next month.

First on stage will be Kendal South Choir and orchestra, directed by Don Gillthorpe, performing the northern première of Magnificat by young composer Oliver Tarney as the centrepiece of their May 6 concert at Kendal's St Thomas’s Church.

An extremely beautiful and modern work, Oliver wrote his piece in 2014, combining the traditional Latin text of the Magnificat with texts from the three Abrahamic religions to tell the story of Mary after her visitation.

The result is evocative, thought-provoking and uplifting.

Oliver was educated in Lancaster before studying music at Manchester University and is currently head of composition and singing at Winchester College in Hampshire.

Vivaldi’s Magnificat and a selection of Marian-themed (relating to the Virgin Mary) short songs complete what promises to be an inspiring and moving concert. The line up of young, talented soloists comprises soprano, Katy Thomson, mezzo, Sarah Jillian Cox, tenor, Jacob Clark and baritone, Charlie Murray.

The performance starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Turning Point, Highgate, Kendal, choir members or at the door.

Meanwhile, Kendal South Choir is keen to recruit new members.

Anyone interested should telephone Dorothy Davies on 015395-32241 or Philip Watson on 01539-734914.

Elsewhere on the choral front, Eversley Choir and conductor Ian Jones will be packing them in for performances on Thursday, May 11 (7.30pm), at Kirkby Lonsdale's Queen Elizabeth School, and on Sunday, May 14 (7pm), at Capernwray Hall, near Carnforth.

Following its November and December concerts when the choir sang to packed churches in Silverdale and Milnthorpe, Eversley turns to one of the greatest of all choral masterpieces: the Requiem by Guiseppe Verdi.

The monumental work, written by the composer on the occasion of the death of his close friend the poet Alessandro Manzoni, is among the most challenging and exciting in the choral repertoire. With invited guest singers the choir will number some 100 and the orchestra of local players will be led by Wendy Cann.

For the first QES performance the choir will be joined by soloists Emily Robinson, Sarah Cox, Christopher Steele and Alan Fairs. For the Capernwray show - a fundraiser for Save the Children - the soprano role will be sung by Jane Irwin and the bass by Alex Ashworth.

Also, showcasing the wonderful works of brilliant Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi will be Ambleside and District Choral Society at St Mary’s Church on Saturday, May 6 (7.30pm).

The choir's spring concert includes Vivaldi's two Glorias with soloists Philippa Hyde (soprano), Joyce Tindlsey (mezzo) and baritone Jonathan Millican with the South Cumbria Ensemble.

Tickets - which includes a glass of wine - are available from choir members or at the door. To book telephone 015394-36260 or 33944.