Choralia Choir, Mary Magdalene Church, New Milton

Milford-based chamber choir Choralia is to perform a fundraising concert in New Milton on behalf of Oxfam next Saturday.

The 40-strong group, formed in 2021, continues to increase its repertoire and extend its programme of events to New Forest towns and villages.

On Saturday 24th June, at 7pm, the choir will be at St Mary Magdalene Church in New Milton, performing A Choral Rhapsody in support of Oxfam.

The choir’s new musical director is Phil Daish-Handy, who also leads Nova Foresta Classical Players, Lymington Choral Society and Voices of the Forest.

Choralia spokesperson Jan England explained the choir was formed by members of a previous local singing group, which was not set to be restarted after Covid.

She said: “The choir has grown in strength musically and in number, every concert eliciting enquiries about joining the choir.

“Choralia Milford is building its reputation by bringing a more unusual and lesser known repertoire of new and old, secular and sacred music to concert audiences, many sung A Capella, in addition to more familiar music.

“Erring toward the more classical, but with some surprising arrangements adding an element of surprise to performances. The choir members have a wide range of musical experience - some members have sung from childhood and can sight read, some latecomers to singing have no formal music skills.”

The concert will feature performances of Faure Requiem, Gershwin’s Summertime, Rhapsody in Blue, Karl Jenkins’ Ave Maria and other choral works.

Tickets are priced £15 on the door, or can be purchased from the Oxfam Shop New Milton. Bookings can also be made online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/choralia-milford