Bradford Festival Choral Society is rehearsing for a spring concert of modern music, and is seeking new members.

The choir will be singing Howard Goodall’s uplifting requiem Eternal Light as well as numbers from musicals and films and TV themes from sitcoms The Vicar Of Dibley, Red Dwarf and Blackadder.

The programme also includes Seven Sea Songs, an exhilarating song cycle by 20th century composer Tony Hewitt-Jones.

“Rarely heard, his work deserves a wider audience. If you close your eyes you’ll feel you’re on the high seas,” said musical director Thomas Leech.

The choir was founded in 1856 but dates back to the first Bradford Festival three years earlier. Over the years it has worked with conductors including Elgar, Malcolm Sargent and Sir David Willcocks, and internationally renowned soloists.

Acclaimed for its vibrant sound, entertaining, relevant programming, and commitment to music-making at the heart of the community, the choir is enjoying a renaissance.

The concert is at the Price Hall, Bradford Grammar School, on Saturday, March 23 at 7.30pm. For tickets call chairman Duncan Milwain on 07966 788270 or visit bradfordfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk.