BOLTON Priory, Bolton Abbey, is due to welcome the renowned York Chapter House Choir for a special 'bird themed 'concert on Saturday (June 24).

The 'Byrdland' concert will mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, with music by Byrd, or inspired by Byrd - or about birds.

The choir was formed in 1965 to raise funds for the York Minster appeal and continues to build on its reputation as one of the North of England’s finest amateur chamber choirs. It seeks to perform accessible and beautiful yet challenging programmes from the whole range of choral repertoire.

Over recent years, newly commissioned music has included Everyone Sang by Roderick Williams, which was played for the first time with the King’s Singers in York Minster; Song Cycle: Vive la Velorution by Alexander L’Estrange for the Tour de France in Yorkshire; Arcadia by Judith Bingham, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War; as well as pieces by Bob Chilcott and the choir’s founder conductor, Andrew Carter.

The choir’s conductor, Benjamin Morris, is the assistant director of music at York Minster. He was previously organ scholar and then assistant organist at Jesus College, Cambridge graduating with a double first in music.

Ben regularly conducts York Minster Choir in services and rehearses daily with the choristers. He has performed as an organ soloist under Sir Roger Norrington, Howard Shelley and Stephen Cleobury and is a prizewinning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Saturday's concert is at 7.30pm. Tickets £15, to include a glass of wine or a soft drink, are available from www.boltonpriory.org.uk, or on the door.