A VARIED programme of festive music will be presented by Shaldon Singers at a concert on Saturday, December 7.

Musical director Tim Crompton will be conducting the 7pm performance at St Peter’s Church, Shaldon, with accompaniment from renowned local organist Andrew Millington.

Opening the concert is John Rutter’s Gloria, an exhilarating work in three movements of contrasting moods. The first is incisive and punchy with strong rhythms and declamatory outbursts from the chorus.

A gentle prayer-like middle movement follows, with its meditative organ accompaniment, and then a fast-paced, rhythmic finale brings the work to a triumphant conclusion.

James MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn, a beautiful unaccompanied motet written in 2010, is an atmospheric setting of liturgy used in the week before Christmas. In contrast are two light and joyful choruses from Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio.

Organ solos from Andrew Millington, seasonal readings, and carols for choir and audience will complete the programme.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Shaldon Playpark renovation project.