A MUSICAL masterpiece is set to get the festive season off to a wonderful start in Teignmouth next week.

Teign Choral Society will be presenting their ever-popular traditional Christmas carol concert at St James' Church in the town on Friday, December 6, from 7.30pm .

The Society's concert is a very much anticipated part of the town's festive season, and this year the concert will include a very special Vaughan Williams composition in its musical line-up.

In addition to well loved carols for everyone to sing, and more unusual pieces, well respected baritone Peter Wood will be leading the choir in the Fantasia on Christmas Carols, which captures both the ethereal and spiritual nature of the Christ Child's birth, and the jolly celebratory approach of communities towards the nativity, and the welcoming of the New Year.

Vaughan Williams was keen on exploring traditional folk music and during his travels he came across Christmas melodies he incorporated in the Sussex Carol and the Somerset Carol, both of which feature strongly in the Fantasia, together with other elements that he had enjoyed with his friend Cecil Sharp, the folk-song collector.

Once again the performance will be under the direction of music director David Bowles, himself a man with a great love of Christmas music, and, as with last year’s concert, Hannah Spooner will provide strong yet subtle accompaniment.

All in all a very enjoyable and maybe uplifting evening is in prospect, getting the Christmas season off to a memorable start.

Entry to the concert is £10 and this includes refreshments and programme.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance from Ashleigh Way Post Office, Regent Style (Regent Street) and Teign Music (Carlton Place).