RAMSBOTTOM Choral Society and Orchestra will perform the first concert of the season on Saturday, December 5 at Bolton Road Methodist Church at 7.30pm when they present Verdi’s Requiem.

The society has chosen four outstanding soloists for the concert, international mezzo soprano Maggie McDonald who is also voice coach for the Hallé Choir, soprano Suzanne Mather, tenor Craig Jackson and bass Maurice Rushby.

Plans for the rest of the season include the popular family carol concert at Greenmount United Reformed Church on Saturday, December 19, with the orchestra.

The first concert in 2016 will be Poulenc’s Gloria and the Fauré Requiem on Saturday, March 19, also at Bolton Road Methodist Church.

There are still vacancies in all parts of the choir and new tenors and bass singers will be particularly welcome.

Choir rehearsals take place every Friday at All Saints Church, Hebburn Drive, Brandelsholme, in Bury at 7.30pm.

Ramsbottom Choral Society also has its own permanent orchestra which rehearses separately every Thursday at Greenmount Old School at 7.30pm. New instrumentalists are always welcome.

There are vacancies for all string players, certain woodwind and also brass players. All the members of the orchestra play to a high standard, but all are unpaid and play for the love of music.

Anyone wanting further information about the choir or orchestra should contact Barry Sugden on 0161 761 2985 and more detailed information about the society can be found on the societies website at www.ramsbottomchoralsociety.com