A CONCERT featuring two modern works will be performed by Weymouth Choral Society.

The performance is at St John's Church, Weymouth, on Saturday November 18.

To be performed first is the premiere of a new piece, Requiem, by Louise Dukes. The Requiem is Louise's thanksgiving for the precious gift of life.

Louise said: ‘It was originally conceived as a personal tribute to a friend who lost her battle with cancer, and whom had devoted her life to singing.

"The work reflects the journey of passing from the world as we know it, into the unseen heavenly realm."

In her music, Louise uses melodic themes and light scoring as she sets out to characterize love and hope amidst darkness and grief.

The other half of our concert will be a performance of John Rutter’s Requiem, which was written in 1985.

It is a musical setting of parts of the Latin Requiem with added psalms and biblical verses in English, featuring the anthem-like movement ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’ and a simple yet emotive scoring of the ‘Pie Jesu’ for soprano soloist. Rutter’s ‘Requiem’ is also essentially optimistic in its message of hope and comfort.

The society is eager to encourage young musicians and to provide performance opportunities for them.

Vocalists from the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership will be at the concert and several young instrumentalists will play in the orchestra accompanying the Rutter. These players include cellist Hannah McFarlane, who makes her third appearance with the choir and will feature in solo movements in both halves of the programme.

*Weymouth Choral Society concert, St John’s Church, Weymouth, Saturday November 18. Tickets cost £10 and are available from members, Harmony Music Dorchester, Weymouth Pavilion or on the door.

For more information call 07712 135150 or go to weymouthchoralsociety.org.uk.