WEST Dorset chamber choir Cantamus is giving a concert during Advent in Dorchester under the baton of new musical director, Martin Schellenberg.

The concert will be at Holy Trinity Church, Dorchester, on Saturday, December 14 starting at 7pm.

Martin was appointed to lead the choir in September. He is a creative choral and orchestral conductor with many years’ experience and has been director of music and organist at St Mary’s Church, Beaminster, for a year. His previous posts include 16 years as director of music at Abberley Hall School in Worcestershire, as well as a busy freelance career as conductor, consultant, soloist and teacher.

The Advent programme is called ‘O come, Emmanuel’, after a gorgeous piece by living composer Bob Chilcott, and includes a range of beautiful seasonal music. The choir prides itself on introducing audiences to new music, and this season’s unusual pieces include a series of anonymous antiphonal chants and a haunting, ethereal arrangement of ‘Es ist ein Ros entsprungen’ by Praetorious. Also on the programme are the traditional ‘Cherry Tree Carol’, ‘Jesus Christ the Apple Tree’ by Elizabeth Poston, ‘Benedicamus Domino’ by Peter Warlock and two pieces by John Tavener: ‘Today the Virgin’ and ‘The Lamb’.

*Cantamus Advent concert, Holy Trinity Church, Dorchester, Saturday, December 14, 7pm. There will also be a concert at St Mary Magdalene, Loders (near Bridport) on Saturday, December 7, 7pm. Tickets are £10 on the door. Refreshments will be available. See cantamus-dorset.org or the choir’s Facebook page 'Cantamus – Dorset' for more information.