UNDER the expert direction of Don Gillthorpe, Kendal South Choir, along with a superb orchestral ensemble, presented us with the perfect antidote to all the pre Christmas hype we have been getting from multitudinous sources - long before the actual 'real' time of Christmas, namely December 25, writes MARGARET PATTINSON.

The choice of music for this concert was inspirational and refreshing. At times the music was very challenging but there were also some very musical moments.

The concert was divided into a secular first half with a delightful work by John Rutter called the Sprig of Thyme. This is a collection of some of the wonderful heritage we have of folk songs from England, Ireland and Scotland. This has delightful moments in both the orchestral and choral parts. The choir sang with assurance, accuracy and superb diction. This could be even further improved by the singers looking happier!

These pieces were followed by two beautiful solo folk songs. The first, The Fields of Athenry sung by Sean Brines, a fine tenor with great potential, to his own guitar accompaniment. The second solo balanced out the folk songs of Britain by bringing in Wales, here Charles Murray, baritone, sang the The Ashgrove arranged by Benjamin Britten. Like Sean, he is also a product of Huddersfield University where there must be fine vocal tuition available.

The second half of the evening was devoted to a fascinating work by Howard Goodall entitled Eternal Light: A Requiem. This is a requiem with a difference. There are 10 movements which are shared between the choir and soloists Emily Robinson, soprano, Sean Baines, tenor, and Charles Murray, bass, and once again accompanied by the orchestral ensemble.

Howard Goodall is a composer well-known for writing music in many styles (Blackadder, QI, The Vicar of Dibley to name a few) and this sees him in his serious mode. He was anxious to steer away from the conventional requiem, and this work is a mixture of biblical passages as well as poetry set to the music

Some of the movements are far from easy but the singing was brought together by Don Gillthorpe's expert direction and not forgetting the help the choir have had from assistant directors Emma Richardson, Anne Pater and Geoffrey Field.

This is an impressive work which looks set to become a favourite choral work amongst accomplished choirs.