CUMBRIA Baroque Choir returns to the stage this month with a hefty helping of Mozart.

The revered ranks of Margaret Pattinson's choral ensemble has expanded to 36 voices for its Magic of Mozart concert at Lancaster Priory on Saturday, October 22 (7.30pm).

The choir's programme consists of Mozart`s Coronation Mass in C K317, the Requiem K626 and Organ Fantasia K594.

The sublime Requiem was composed by Mozart on his deathbed, and then completed by his pupil Sussmayer. Less well known but equally magical is the Coronation Mass.

The sumptuous Organ Fantasia will be played by priory organist, Ian Pattinson, providing a wonderful chance to hear the priory's magnificent instrument, which is highly rated by eminent organists from across the UK.

The choir will be accompanied by the Priory Festival Orchestra under the direction of Gareth Green. Soloists will be soprano, Margaret Pattinson; tenor, Stephen Newlove; bass, Don Gillthorpe, and mezzo-soprano, Nancy Cole.

Margaret needs little introduction. She is one of the most experienced singers in the region and likes to bring in a visiting conductor for CBC, so that she can sing herself.

Stephen is a familiar name in this area having sung with Northeast and Northwest Choirs. Yorkshire born, Stephen has sung in York Minster, Manchester and Chester cathedrals, and performed with famous ensemble His Majesty`s Sackbutts .

Meanwhile, well-known bass voice Don takes on the role of director of music at Lancaster Priory in October.

Completing the line-up of soloists will be Lancastrian Nancy, who during her school years was a member of Lancaster Priory Girl`s Choir.

The former Lancaster Girls' Grammar School student gained a choral scholarship to St Edmund Hall, Oxford University to study music. As a result she sang with Schola Cantorum of Oxford, St Peter's Chapel Choir and St Edmund Hall, touring Poland, Germany and Italy. On the operatic front, she's performed in Dido and Aeneas and The Magic Flute.

Nancy has been a regularly soloist with the Yorkshire Bach Choir, Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, and at the internationally renowned York Early Music Festival. Her areas of study specialised in Monteverdi, Robert Schumann and less frequently performed 20th Century English song.

In 2011-2012, Nancy landed a place on the inaugural Genesis Sixteen training scheme (course), run by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. Since, she has sung with the leading consorts of today, including The Sixteen, Tenebrae, Gabrieli Consort, Choir of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Vocal Futures, Britten Sinfonia Voices, and with many of London's leading church choirs such as The St Martin’s Voices. She also sings regularly with Siglo de Oro and The Fieri Consort.

She has a glowing reputation, makes regular appearances on BBC Radio 3 and has recorded with both Tenebrae and The Sixteen.

Tickets for the Lancaster Priory concert are available from Lancaster Visitor Information Centre on 01524-582398, by telephone on 015394-31025 or 015395-60338 or at the door.