New songs by a Bridport musician and composer celebrating the beauty of trees will be performed at a concert at St James's Church in Poole on Wednesday (11).

Written by Sammy Hurden, the four-piece song cycle called Tree Dance was commissioned by choir Luminos.

Sammy is the 80-strong choir’s musical director and has written many pieces for them over the years.

She said: “I had been wanting to write about trees for years, so this was a perfect opportunity with so many lovely voices to write for. I had in mind that I wanted to write an elegy for the ash tree as a starting point, because I couldn’t imagine a world without such beautiful trees. But when I began writing with Luminos in mind it took on another direction because I was inspired by thoughts from the choir.”

The songs celebrate the beauty, longevity and science of trees, and the importance of teaching younger generations to appreciate them.

Sammy said: “When I lived in the country there was a beautiful beech tree I would sit under if I needed direction – somehow I always came away feeling comforted. Now I absolutely love a huge ancient lime tree – the sound of the leaves is so calming. There’s a line in one of my songs, ‘if you watch us, we are dancing in slow motion’ and there’s an old sycamore tree beneath Eggardon Hill that always looks as if it’s dancing.

“There’s so much we can learn from trees. They recycle everything they use for photosynthesis. And during their life cycle they give us the air we breathe.

“I hope hearing the songs will help make us all more appreciative of trees and aware of the good they do for us. And maybe inspire the planting of some more.”

All are welcome to Wednesday’s concert at St James Church, Poole, which starts at 8pm. Sammy and the choir will be joined by other musicians and the programme also features other songs around the theme of trees as well as old and new pieces from many genres. Entry is by donation to the Woodland Trust.