THE celebrated and highly talented jazz band from Kirkby Lonsdale's Queen Elizabeth School joins musical forces with Levens Choir next Tuesday (July 4, 7pm) in what promises to be a fabulous five star occasion.

The QES foot-tappers - conducted by Gareth Leather - will show their skills during pieces such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Libertango, When Sunny Gets Blue and many others. Levens conductor Ian Jones and his acclaimed choristers display a different side to their usual repertoire performing a range of works from Lloyd Webber’s Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat to George Gershwin’s Summertime, and Billy Joel’s wistful And So It Goes.

And to really get Kendal Town Hall reverberating with some of the finest swing around, the singers and players up the tempo together for a stomping version of Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehavin and Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm.

Playing a crucial part of proceedings will be piano player Ken Forster.

Accompanists are often regarded as the unsung heroes of choral singing.

Incredibly gifted, Ken is one such musician, who having providing pianistic support every Tuesday at Levens Choir rehearsals, will play a vital accompanying role on July 4.

Ken became interested in the piano while at primary school: "I was lucky that I attended a primary school with lots of music. The first thing I did was singing, which I've done ever since, then inevitably recorder, then violin. I started piano at about 10.

"Mum was a primary school teacher and played piano for assemblies, but even when we had a piano at home I don't recall her playing. Dad enjoyed music, mainly singers like Ella Fitzgerald, and I inherited that enthusiasm.

Even though his secondary school was described as a "bog-standard comprehensive" he said it had fantastic music department where he was involved with choirs, orchestra, brass band (playing trombone) and shows.

Ken said he was first attracted to the idea of accompanying at university: "I had a group of friends who played various instruments.

"I did agree once in a drunken moment with some musical friends at university to perform the Grieg piano concerto, which after much blood, sweat and tears went reasonably well, although probably to the detriment of my academic work. I've avoided listening to that piece since."

Ken says he prefers accompanying individual singers: "But I also very much enjoy playing with young people for example in exams, festivals and several times for members of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra in workshops and masterclasses.

"I don't particularly like the word accompanist, or the phrase used annoyingly often, even on Radio 3, 'at the piano.' Both imply a subservient role. Any musician playing with other people will be fully engaged in the music and be aware of everyone's role. Playing with an individual singer or an instrumentalist is a collaboration. Accompanying a choir in rehearsal is a bit different in that the pianist will often need to read from a complex orchestral reduction and often adapt that to help the singers. It certainly helps to be a singer and understand the difficulties.

"I'm fortunate to be a good sight-reader, and don't really know why. The main advantage of that is that I often don't have to practise much and can do things at short notice.

"I would encourage any pianist to play with other musicians. Find friends and family who sing or play instruments, or local schools and music teachers who might need a pianist.

"Playing with other musicians is I suppose like playing sport, which could be two people in a boat, or a rugby team, all dependent on each other. It can be very intimate or very thrilling. In a choral context it is very satisfying making a difference to the final results."

Tickets for I Got Rhythm with Queen Elizabeth School and Levens Choir are available from Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre on 01539-722833, choir members or at the door.