A short programme of new works which the choir has lately added to its repertoire was preceded by a liturgical celebration of Mass. As they did last year during the Mass the choir sang Benjamin Britten's Missa Brevis in D. This is a beautiful work with harmonies that are easily recognisable as the composer's.

Over the years this choir has developed a beautiful smooth sound, steady and with an excellent overall balance between the various sections. Their attacks as well as the ending of their phrases are very neat and precise. No voice is at any time heard soaring above that of the others, even though the group can boast of a number of soloists in its ranks. Britten's Mass is by no means easy to perform, but the choir captured the beautiful harmonies, never faltering on any note or interval.

Britten's music was complemented by a number of hymns sung at various moments during the liturgical celebration: the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi was taken a little too fast for my taste and missed the flow of the melody. Vogler's Hoosianna David in Poika (sung during the Offertory) and Mozart's Ave Maria (sung during Communion) were strong contrasts with Britten's music, but equally engaging.

The recital programme included choral works by Hassler (Cantate Domino), Schubert (The Lord is my shepherd) and Faure (Cantique de Jean Racin) arranged for four-, two- and three-part children's choir respectively. Throughout the Mass as well as for these pieces the choir was accompanied on the organ by Elisabeth Conrad.

The final item on the programme was a piece in four parts by the contemporary Finnish composer Sallinen, Song Around a Song, which was sung a cappella. This is a fun-piece based on a number of folk songs and the only non-sacred piece to be performed. It was sung with the same commitment as all the other works and was thoroughly enjoyed by the congregation.

In the course of the evening it was announced that there are plans to split the choir into two in order to create a youth section besides the children's section. While it is true that after so many years the more experienced members of the choir start feeling out of place in a "children's choir" it is obvious that they make up the backbone of the choir. It would be a real shame if they were to opt out before they have had time to pass on their experience, particularly their sense of discipline, to the new members.