LEVENS Choir celebrates its 40th season this year.

Having begun life as the result of a chance remark at a meeting in 1975 of Levens Young Wives Group, the highly thought of choral ensemble has developed into a extremely sophisticated singing group with a fine reputation for the quality of its singing and the adventurousness of its programmes - all under the baton of inspirational conductor Ian Jones.

The choir's new season features two contrasting programmes, including Haydn’s Nelson Mass and a semi-staged version of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, which the choir toured with last autumn across the south west, in particular to Wells Cathedral.

The choir is now rehearsing for its special ‘birthday bash,' laced with a programme of unashamedly favourite music: all English and mostly from the early 20th century. Vaughan Williams, Britten and Finzi – three of Ian’s favourite composers – are all featured as are some of Ian’s best loved poets, including Shakespeare, whose death 400 years ago is also recognised.

Antony Christie, who joined the choir for the unforgettable memorial concert for the First World War centenary in November 2014, will again read the poems. The choir’s indefatigable accompanist and honorary member Adrian Self of Cartmel Priory will accompany some of the pieces, including his own setting of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem The May Magnificat. The choir will also sing George Shearing’s jazzy settings of five Shakespeare songs for which Ken Forster will relinquish his position among the choir’s basses and head for the piano. The celebratory concert will be performed twice, at Cartmel Priory, on Saturday, April 9, and St Anne’s Church, Ings, on Tuesday, April 12; both shows start at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, the choir aims to be on song at Borwick Church on Sunday afternoon, March 13, as part of its ongoing Music in Quiet Places series with a programme of unaccompanied choral music from the Renaissance to the present day. Also, later in the year, on July 9, Ian and his merry choristers join with the internationally acclaimed English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble in a programme of music from the Renaissance and the 19th century.

Tickets for the April concerts are available from Grange and Kendal TICs and Windermere Information. For more information or to book tickets by telephone call 01539-730590.

For further information visit www.levenschoir.net.