A choral society is marking its 75th anniversary with a special concert.

St Albans Choral Society’s St Albans-themed concert will take place in the cathedral on Saturday, November 23, at 7.30pm. It will include the world premiere of a composition on martyrdom and John Rutter’s Gloria.

A choir of children from Alban City School and St Albans High School joins the society for the first part of the programme, Liz Lane’s The Story of St Alban, which narrates Alban’s conversion to Christianity.

The Choral Society then performs the premiere of The Martyrs’ Call by composer Richard James Harvey, inspired by the stone statues of the Seven Martyrs in the cathedral. Harvey has also been the society’s rehearsal accompanist for 20 years.

The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans, said: “I am delighted that St Alban and the Martyrs will be celebrated in this special concert in the cathedral, marking the 75th anniversary of St Albans Choral Society. The timing of this commemorative concert, in the year in which the cathedral opens its new Welcome Centre, is impeccable.”

The performance ends with the colourful Rutter Gloria, composed in 1974. The soloists are Claire Seaton, soprano; Michael Burke, baritone; Carl Heap, narrator in The Story of St Alban; and Marko Sever, organ. The concert, with Orchestra Brass and Ensemble, is conducted by George Vass, who marks 25 years as Music Director of the Choral Society this year.

For tickets and more information call 01727 890290 or visit www.stalbanscathedral.org