A STANDING ovation was given to the 24 members of The Sine Nomine Singers whose performance captivated an audience of over 100 people at Saturday evening's concert to support church funds, writes Karen Warburton. Deirdre Coates from Chideock Manor welcomed this fine chamber choir, who had recently returned from a concert tour in France, to the stunning setting of the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and St Ignatius, Chideock.

The magnificent unaccompanied voices of The Sine Nomine Singers filled the Italian Romanesque Church in Chideock with superb harmonies and their atmospheric interpretation of music by Purcell, Fauré, Messiaen and Moeran.

Two wonderful organ interludes were played by the choir's director and conductor, Stephen Davies who also provided an informal but informative narrative during the evening.

Singing from the organ loft, soprano Jenny Burgess' wonderful solo during Stanford's 'Blue Bird' was described by a member of the audience as 'hauntingly beautiful' and will be remembered as one of the highlights of the evening.

During the interval, both choir members and audience enjoyed refreshments in the delightful Manor Gardens adjacent to the church.

Overnight accommodation had been arranged for the choir in the village and a supper given by Mrs Coates after the concert was enjoyed by both the choir and their hosts.

In the candlelit barn, a woodburning stove took the chill off the night air and the choir's rendition of 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' and 'Blue Moon' rounded off this magical evening in Chideock.