ONE of the most popular choral piece ever written combines with a major new work from a leading local composer.

More than 170 singers and a 60-strong orchestra will share the Westmorland Hall at lakes leisure Kendal on Sunday (December 12, 7.30pm) as Casterton Choral Society and Orchestra perform Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace as well as the Roland Fudge winner Celestial Light.

Arguably, the most celebrated choral work penned so far in the 21st Century, with massive CD sales, The Armed Man has proved an enormous hit with choirs and audiences alike since it was written ten years ago, when Karl was commissioned to write a modern Mass. And although he uses the traditional text of the Mass, it also includes a Moslem Call to Prayers (Adhaan), poetry by Rudyard Kipling (The Hymn Before Action) and Dryden, and also an extract from the ancient Indian Mahabharata.

He brings together all these elements in a work which evokes a whole range of emotions associated with war – apprehension, fear, dread, terror, the horror of its aftermath, but it ends with a sense of healing and hope with the Benedictus.

Among the exalted ranks of choristers for Sunday’s performance will be more than 50 girls from Casterton School.

Premiered earlier this year, Roland’s Celestial Light has another airing.

An influential string coach, violinist and composer, Roland was commissioned by Cumbria Choral Initiative to write a piece to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its New Millennium Chorus. The response by performers, audience and critics was so positive that it was decided to perform it again.

The text for Celestial Light has been taken from various sources, such as Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Bible, but are all linked by the theme of light as a metaphor for the manifest nature of God.

Soloist will be in-demand tenor Nick Hurndall-Smith with esteemed director of music at Casterton School, David Chapman, conducting.

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