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Please check dates & times before travelling

September 2008                         top                               Abbreviations

11 Grappenhall, St. Wilfrid's Church, 7.30, Donald Maxwell & Rebecca Rudge, Songs from opera and from the shows (LSW)

17 Davyhulme Brook Road Methodist Church, 7.30, Urmston Choral Society, Gilbert and Sullivan (The Gondeliers and Mikado)

19 Blackpool, Sixth Form College, 7.30, Amandine Savary (piano), Debussy, Franck and Schumann Tel. 01253 349650 or 724472 (NFMC)

20 Manchester, The Monastery, Gorton Lane, 7.30, St George’s Singers conductor: Neil Taylor, Stewart Campbell (tenor), Rachmaninov (Vespers), Górecki (Totus Tuus), Tavener (Nunc Dimittis)

20 St Helens, United Reformed Church, 7.30, St. Helens Sinfonietta, Orchestral Concert: A Visit to The 18^th Century, Haydn (Overture The Fisherwomen, Symphony No.44), Mozart (Symphony No. 17, Horn Concerto No. 4), Handel (Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Solomon)) Tel. 01744600846

23 Manchester, RNCM, 7.30, Atos Piano Trio, Schubert (Movement for piano trio in B flat D28), Bright Sheng (Four movements for piano trio), Schubert (Notturno for piano trio in E flat D897), Beethoven (Piano trio in E flat op 97 ‘Archduke’) (MCCS)

27 Bolton, Albert Hall, 7.30, Bolton Symphony Orchestra, Soloists- Robert Holiday (trombone), Helen Brackley Jones (violin), Grieg (Homage march from Sigurd Jorsalfar), Svendsen (Romance), Grondahl (Trombone Concerto), Sibelius (Andante Festivo), Sibelius (Symphony No. 3) Tel. 01204 334400

28 Chester, St John's Church, 7.30, St John’s Festival Orchestra, Mozart (Piano Concerto No. 23 in A - Jane Ford – piano), Coronation Mass - Chester Bach Singers, Guest Conductor - Martin Bussey Tel. 01244 880210

28 Keswick, Theatre by the Lake, 7.30, Northern Sinfonia, Kyra Humphreys (violin), Mozart (Wind Serenade No. 11 in E flat major, K. 375), Bach (Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor), Haydn (Symphony No. 99 in E flat major) Tel. 017687 74411 (KMS)

28 Withington, St Paul's Church, 2pm - 5pm, Come and sing with the Philharmonic Choir, Vivaldi (Gloria), Haydn (Nelson Mass). £5 including hire of music and refreshments. See www.philchoir.org.uk for application form

October 2008                         top                               Abbreviations

1 Chester, St Mary's Centre, 7.30, Vale Royal Singers, Music Director: Margaret Corlett, Peter Oliver (guitar), Music at Michaelmas - a group of 16th century madrigals, choral songs with guitar accompaniment interspersed with solos. The programme also includes a set of spirituals, arrangements of ‘Autumn Leaves’ and Beatles songs, and will end with Bob Chilcott’s ‘Little Jazz Mass’. Club Members free, non-members: £4; students and job-seekers £1Tel. 0151 339 5219 (ChMS)

1 Clitheroe, Royal Grammar School, York Street, 7.30, Sophia Lisovskaya (piano), Beethoven (Sonata No. 8 Op. 13-Pathétique), Chopin (Nocturnes, Etudes), Chopin (Fantasie-Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66), Scriabin (Preludes),  Scriabin (Desir & Caresse Dancee Op. 57), Scriabin (Etudes), Scriabin (Vers La Flamme Op 72) (CCS)

1 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, The Wakeford Ensemble, Ropartz (Prelude Marine et Chansons), Mozart (Flute Quartet in D K.285), Debussy (Sonata en Trio for Flute Violin and Harp), Françaix (Quintet No. 2) (KMCC)

3 Lytham, King Edward VII & Queen Mary's School, Clifton Drive, 7.30, Alexander Karpeyev (piano), Programme to be confirmed (LSMC)

4 Holmes Chapel, Leisure Centre, 8pm, Martin Roscoe (piano), Beethoven Sonatas (No. 9 in E major Op. 14 No. 1, No. 21 in C major Op.53 'Waldstein', No. 19 in G minor Op. 49 No. 1, No. 32 in C minor Op. 111) (HCMS)

4 Kendal Parish Church, 7.30, Cumbria Baroque Choir and Northern Chamber Orchestra, Handel (Messiah), Tickets £10, Tel. 01539 560338, 431025 or at the door

4 Kendal, The Westmorland Hall, Lakes Leisure, 7.30, Manchester Camerata, Haydn (Il mondo della Luna), Mozart (Violin Concerto in D major, Overture: Don Giovanni, Symphony no 35 Haffner), Schnittke (Moz-Art a la Haydn) Tel. 01539 722533

8 Chester, St Mary's Centre, 7.30, Manchester Camerata Ensemble, Mozart (String Quintet in D K593, Clarinet Quintet in A K581), Brahms (String Quintet No.2 in G Op88) Tickets: £12; Reductions £9Tickets £15, Reductions £12 Tel. 0151 339 7326 (ChMS)

10 Egremont, Market Hall, 8pm, The London Mozart Players, Details and tickets: 01946 692178, www.copeland.gov.uk/MusicAndArtsEgremont (SASRA)

11 Heywood Civic Centre, 7.30, The Doric String Quartet, Haydn (String Quartet in B flat minor, Op.51 No.1), Janáček (String Quartet No.2 Intimate Letters), Beethoven (String Quartet in E flat, Op.74 (Harp)) (RMS)

11 Stockport, The Ballroom, Stockport Town Hall, 7.30, Stockport Symphony Orchestra – Conductor:Edward Warren, Glinka (Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture), Tchaikovsky (Piano Concerto No 1-Soloist Ian Buckle), Rachmaninov (Symphony No 2) Ticket information can be found on the website: www.stockportsymphony.co.uk, Box Office: 07947 474574

11 Warrington, Fearnhead, The Church of the Resurrection, Messiah

15 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, Min Jin Kym (violin) & Ian Brown (piano), Prokofiev (Sonata No.1 in F Minor Op. 80), Brahms (Sonata No. 3 in D Minor Op. 108) (KMCC)

17 Blackpool, Sixth Form College, 7.30, Chiao-Ying Chang (piano), Haydn, Ravel and Schubert Tel. 01253 349650 or 724472 (NFMC)

18 Cartmel Priory, 1pm, Levens Choir, Pre-tour concert including 'Come and Sing' Mozart's Requiem. Everyone welcome. 01539 720168 for details

18 Chester, Wesley Methodist Church, 12.45, Chester Bach Singers – England’s Glory: music on a nautical theme, including works by Elgar, Parry, Wood, Vaughan William and Bussey

18 Grappenhall, St. Wilfrid's Church, 7.30, Manchester Piano Trio, Haydn, Fauré, Beethoven (Archduke Trio) (LSW)

18 Kendal, The Westmorland Hall, Lakes Leisure, 7.30, Lakeland Sinfonia, Mozart (Symphony no 31 Paris), Strauss R (Horn Concerto no 2 in E flat), Barber (Adagio), Mendelssohn (Symphony no 4 Italian) Tel. 01539 722533

18 Wilmslow Leisure Centre, 7.45, Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Peter Stallworthy, Beethoven (Leonora no.3, Piano Concerto no.3 with Anja German), Dvořák (Symphony no.7) Tel. 01625 526380

19 Keswick, Theatre by the Lake, 7.30, The Esbjerg Ensemble, Poulenc (Sextet for piano and wind), Louise Farrenc (Nonet for wind and strings in B major, Op.38), Peter Bruun (Letters to the Ocean, for violin, cello, flute, clarinet and percussion), Schumann (Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op.44) Tel. 017687 74411 (KMS)

20 Manchester, RNCM, 7.30, Sally Pryce Ensemble , Arnold Bax (Elegiac Trio), Georg Philipp Telemann (Trio Sonata in C minor), Harald Genzmer (Trio: Suite in 3 movements), Toru Takemitsu (Then I knew ‘twas wind), Piazzolla (excerpts from ‘L’Histoire du Tango’), Debussy (Trio for flute, viola and harp) (MCCS)

25 Holmes Chapel, Leisure Centre, 8pm, Zephyr (Wind Quintet), Verdi (Overture ‘The Force of Destiny’), Reicha (Quintet in E flat major Op. 88 No. 2), Milhaud (La Cheminée du Roi René), Bizet (Suite from “Carmen”), Paul Patterson (Westerly Winds), Gilbert Vinter (Two Miniatures), Malcolm Arnold (Divertimento for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet), Ligeti (Six Bagatelles) (HCMS)

25 Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall, 7.30, Liverpool Welsh Choral, “Composing and Conducting” - Karl Jenkins, Composition world premiere for the LWC

29 Chester, St Mary's Centre, 7.30, Sophie Rosa (violin), Club Members free, non-members: £4; students and job-seekers £1 Tel. 0151 339 5219 (ChMS)

29 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, Northern Sinfonia, Tippett (String Quartet No. 2 in F Sharp), Beethoven (Septet in E Flat Op. 20) (KMCC)

29 St Helens, United Reformed Church, 1.00, Lunchtime Recital: Craig Bradley (UK Accordion Champion) Tel. 01744600846

NOvember 2008                      top                               Abbreviations

1 Didsbury, Emmanuel Church, 7.30, Sale Choral Society, Vaughan Williams (Dona Nobis Pacem), Fauré (Requiem) Tel: 0161 969 7131

1 Frodsham, Parish Church, 7.30, Frodsham & District Choral Society, French Choral Classics, Contact Kath - 01928 732605

1 Lytham St Annes, Church Road Methodist Church, 7.30, Lytham St Annes Choral Society with Ian Hare (organ), Suzanne Midgley (clarinet), Vaughan Williams (Toward the Unknown Region, 3 Preludes on Welsh Hymns, 6 Studies on English Folk Songs), Haydn (‘Creation’ Mass) Tickets £8 (£9 on door), under 16 free Tel. 01253 733665

1 Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music, 7.30, Salford Choral Society, Mozart (Requiem), Tel 0161-881 4318

1 Preston, St. John's Minster, 7.30, Preston Orpheus Choir, an evening with Gabriel Fauré including the Requiem Tel: 01772 612857

1 St Helens Parish Church, 7.30, St Helens Choral Society, Karl Jenkins ("The Armed Man Suite”, "Song of Sanctuary", "Cantilena")

2 Morecambe, The Platform, 3pm, The Promenade Concert Orchestra, ‘Music for You from the Ballet’. Alongside favourites by Tchaikovsky and Delibes, there will be ‘Pineapple Poll’, a ballet score created out of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas; ‘Soirees musicales’, a score created out of Rossini melodies by Benjamin Britten, and a rarely heard selection of ballet pieces by our own Ernest Tomlinson Tel: 01524 412552

7 Lytham, King Edward VII & Queen Mary's School, Clifton Drive, 7.30, RUSSELL LOMAS (piano) with HELEN WILSON (flute), HELEN BYWATER (clarinet), This varied programme will include Trios by Bottesini, Shostakovich & Saint-Saëns, Duo for Flute & Clarinet by Muczynski (LSMC)

7 Sellafield Visitor Centre, 8pm, The Clerks Group (Early vocal ensemble), Details and tickets: 01946 692178, www.copeland.gov.uk/MusicAndArtsEgremont (SASRA)

8 Birkenhead, Pacific Road Arts Centre, 7.30, Liverpool Mozart Orchestra - conductor: Mark Heron, Mark Ashford (guitar), In association with the Wirral International Guitar Festival, Rossini (Overture for The Barber of Seville), Villa-Lobos (Guitar Concerto), Falla (The Three-Cornered Hat - Suite No 1), Villa-Lobos (Bachianas Brasileiras No 9), Arriaga (Symphony in D) Tel. 0151 647 0752 Pre-concert talk - 6.45pm

8 Birkenhead, St Stephen's Church, Prenton, 7.30, Birkenhead Choral Society, Mozart (Sparrow Mass K220), Brahms (Requiem) with the Liverpool Philharmonia Orchestra, Leader Arfona Griffiths Tel. 0151 625 9980

8 Ormskirk School, 7.30, Ormskirk Music Society, Mendelssohn (Violin Concerto, Symphony No.4 "Italian" and Hear My Prayer), Schubert (Mass in G)

8 Stockport, St Mary's Church, 7.30, Manchester Bach Choir, A Celebration of Trafalgar: Haydn's Nelson Mass and Jonathan Willcocks' A Great and Glorious Victory

8 Stockport, The Ballroom, Stockport Town Hall, 7.30, Stockport Symphony Orchestra –Conductor: Matthew Coorey, Stravinsky (Symphonies of Wind Instruments), Vaughan Williams (Oboe Concerto-Soloist Simon Beesley), Shostakovich (Symphony No 11) Ticket information can be found on the website: www.stockportsymphony.co.uk, Box Office: 07947 474574

8 Warton, Parish Church, 7.30, Eversley Choral Union, Handel's "Messiah"

8 Wilmslow, United Reform Church, Alderley Road, 7.30, The Barnby Choir, Rossini (Petite Messe Solomnelle)

12 Chester, St Mary's Centre, 7.30, Jennifer Pike (violin), Jeremy Pike (piano), Janáček (Violin Sonata), Beethoven (Violin Sonata No.10 in G Major Op.96), Franck (Violin Sonata), Tickets: £12; Reductions £9. Tel. 0151 339 7326 (ChMS)

12 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, Chiao-Ying Chang (piano), Haydn (Sonata in E Minor XVI/34), Schubert (Sonata in B Flat D960) (KMCC)

13 Grappenhall, St. Wilfrid's Church, 7.30, New London Chamber Ensemble, Byrd, Ravel, Mozart, Nielsen (LSW)

14 Blackpool, Sixth Form College, 7.30, Benjamin Frith (piano), Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Scarlatti and Schumann Tel. 01253 349650 or 724472 (NFMC)

15 Blackburn Cathedral, 7.30, Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, J.S.Bach ("Wachet Auf!"), Schubert (Mass in G) tickets £12 full £10 concessions enquiries & tickets ring 01254 208720

15 Chester Cathedral, 7.30, Chester Philharmonic Orchestra - conductor: Ewa Strusinska, Bernstein (On The Town: Three Dance Episodes), Larsson (Saxophone Concerto with Soloist Jonathan Radford), Dvořák (Symphony No 9 (New World))

15 Ellesmere Port, Civic Hall, 7.30, Music Society Chorus, Wirral Philharmonic Conductor: M D Williams, Fauré (Requiem, Pavane), M D Williams (Peace On Earth), Jenkins (Stabat Mater) Tel.  0151 327 4062 or see www.epmsonline.co.uk

15 Formby, Church of Our Lady of Compassion, 7.30, Formby Choral Society,  Kodaly (Missa Brevis), Rutter (Requiem), Lauridsen (O magnum mysterium)

15 Hoylake, Hoylake Chapel, 7.30, Hoylake Choral Society, Elgar (Coronation Ode & From the Bavarian Highlands), Parry (I was Glad), Stanford (Songs of the Sea) Tel. 0151 625 9980

15 Kendal, The Westmorland Hall, Lakes Leisure, 7.30, Northern Sinfonia, Sibelius (Symphony no 3 in C), Nielsen (Flute Concerto), Tchaikovsky (Symphony no 4 in F minor) Tel. 01539 722533

15 Knutsford, St John's Parish Church, Church Hill 7.30, The Tatton Singers conductor John Powell, Puccini Messa di Gloria & Vaughan-Williams Dona Nobis Pacem

15 Rochdale Town Hall, 7.30, Morgan Szymanski (guitar) and Mark Padmore (tenor), Alec Roth (Chinese Gardens (words by Vikram Seth) from “Songs in Time of War”), Albeniz (Guitar music from Suite Espanola), John Dowland (Some of his most beautiful songs), selection of English folk song,  world premiere of a new work by Alex composed especially for this occasion. (RMS)

15 St Helens, United Reformed Church, 7.30, Orchestral Concert: Harmoniemusik  (wind ensemble of St. Helens Sinfonietta) (Programme to be announced) Tel: 01744600846

15 West Didsbury, Christ Church, 7.30, William Byrd Singers and Capriccio, Here Followeth The Anthem, Byrd (Three motets), Purcell (Airs and Dances), Finzi (Welcome, sweet and sacred feast), Ireland (Concerto Pastorale), Walton (The Twelve) Tickets £9.00, £8.00(concessions), £4.00 (students) at the door or from choir members

16 Keswick, Theatre by the Lake, 7.30, The Henschel String Quartet, Mendelssohn (Capriccio in E minor Op. 81 No.3), Janáček (Quartet No.1 Kreutzer Sonata), Haydn (Quartet in G major Op. 76 No. 1), Beethoven (Quartet in B flat major Op. 18 No.6) Tel. 017687 74411 (KMS)

19 Clitheroe, Royal Grammar School, York Street, 7.30, Martinu Quartet, Britten (SQ No. 3), Dvořák (SQ in C major Op. 61), Brahms (Clarinet Quintet Op. 115) (CCS)

22 Bolton, Victoria Hall, Knowsley St, 7.30, Bolton Choral Union, Bach Magnificat and Messiah Parts 1 & 2 Tel. 01204 591563 or 01204 492301 - choir website www.boltonchoral.org.uk

22 Chester, Cathedral, 7.30, Chester Music Society Choir, Liverpool Sinfonia, Julie Kennard (soprano), Rosie Aldridge (mezzo soprano), Stephen Roberts (baritone), Finzi (For Saint Cecilia), Elgar (Sea Pictures), Vaughan Williams (A Sea Symphony), Tickets: £16, £12, £6 Tel. 01244 380347 (ChMS)

22 Douglas, St.Matthews Church, 7.00, 40^th Anniversary of the Manx Festival Chorus, Messiah

22 Holmes Chapel, Leisure Centre, 8pm, The Royal String Quartet, Haydn (String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 ‘The Joke’), Beethoven (String Quartet Op. 74 ‘The Harp’), Dvořák (String Quartet Op. 96 ‘The American’) (HCMS)

22 Lancaster, Ashton Hall, 7.30, Lancaster & District Choral Society, Parry (I was glad), Rutter (Feel the Spirit), Beethoven (4th Movement "The Choral" Symphony) with full orchestra and professional soloists, who will also sing their favourite operative arias. £11 for ticket and programme, £12 otn, for people on benefit £6. For information & tickets please ring 01524 791634

22 Sandbach Town Hall, 7.30, Sandbach Voices, Fauré (Requiem), Karl Jenkins (Requiem)

22 Stockport, St George’s Church, Buxton Road, 7.30, St George’s Singers conductor: Neil Taylor, St George’s Orchestra, Leader: Pia Oliver, Soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music, Handel (Israel in Egypt)

24 Manchester, RNCM, 7.30, Hagen Quartet, Haydn (Quartet in G op 76 no 1, Quartet in D minor op 76 no 2, Quartet in E flat op 76 no 6) (MCCS)

26 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, The Vanbrugh String Quartet, Haydn (String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5), Schumann (String Quartet Op 41 No. 3) (KMCC)

28 Egremont Parish Church Hall, 8pm, Royal Northern College of Music Brass Quintet, Details and tickets: 01946 692178, www.copeland.gov.uk/MusicAndArtsEgremont (SASRA)

28 Lytham, King Edward VII & Queen Mary's School, Clifton Drive, 7.30, NEPHELE (Flute Quartet), Nicola Smedley (flute), Samantha Wickramasinghe (violin), Beverley Parry (viola), Rebecca Hewes (cello), flute quartets by Mozart & Rossini, other works by Bach, Beethoven, Feld & Villa Lobos (LSMC)

29 Heswall, Wirral, The Church of The Good Shepherd, Telegraph Road, 7.30, St Peter's Singers & Orchestra, JS Bach (Wachet Auf), Pergolesi (Magnificat), Purcell (O sing unto The Lord), Haydn (St Nicholas Mass), Tickets £8 from Linghams in Heswall or at the door

29 Holmes Chapel, Leisure Centre, 7.30, Holmes Chapel Singers, Charpentier (Messe de Minuit), Handel (Messiah – excerpts), Tickets £8 with concession for students/ unemployed  £4. Tel. 01477 534928

29 Penrith, Quaker Meeting House, 7.45, Nova Cantica Chamber Choir, Christmas Concert, £6.50 details on our website: www.novacantica.co.uk
29 Stockport, St Mary's Church, Manchester Bach Choir, Come and Sing Messiah - all day workshop and performance at 7.30pm

30 Embleton, St Cuthbert's Church, 7.45, Nova Cantica Chamber Choir, Christmas Concert, £6.50 details on our website: www.novacantica.co.uk

December 2008                      top                               Abbreviations

3 Chester, St Mary's Centre, 7.30, Cantorian Sirenian Singers conductor: Jean Stanley-Jones, Tim Stuart (piano), Tickets £15, Reductions £12. The ticket price includes free wine and buffet. Telephone 0151 339 7326 (ChMS)

3 Davyhulme St Mary's Church, 7.30, Urmston Choral Society, Zadoc the Priest, Handel: Gloria, Vivaldi and a selection of carols

6 Frodsham, Parish Church, 7.00, Frodsham & District Choral Society, Handel's Messiah, Contact Kath - 01928 732605

6 Holmes Chapel, Leisure Centre, 8pm, James Turnbull (oboe) with Craig White (piano), Deslandres (Introduction and Polonaise), Dutilleux (Sonata for Oboe and Piano), Saint-Saëns (Sonata for Oboe and Piano Op. 166), Poulenc (Sonata for Oboe and Piano), Debussy (Le petit Berger & Golliwog’s Cakewalk (arr. Berkeley)), Ravel (Le Tombeau de Couperin (arr. D.Walter)) (HCMS)

6 Kendal, Parish Church, 7.30, Amabile Christmas Concert

6 Kendal , Westmorland Hall, Lakes Leisure, 7.30, Westmorland Orchestra, Soloist: Martin Roscoe (piano), Copland (Four Dance Episodes from ‘Rodeo’), Beethoven (Piano Concerto No.4), Rachmaninov (Symphonic Dances) Patron and ticket information available from Mirvine Barden, Hon Secretary, 21 Leighton Drive, Lancaster, LA1 5UQ, Tel: 01524 381979 or Email: mirvine@onetel.com

6 Stockport, St George’s Church, Buxton Road, 7.30, St George’s Singers conductor: Neil Taylor, with VBS Poynton Brass Band, Tim Kennedy (organ), Carols and Brass by Candlelight

6 Wilmslow Leisure Centre, 7.45, Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Mark Robinson, Viennese Evening, Schubert, Lehár, Suppé, Strauss Tel. 01625 526380

7 Hale, St Peter's Church, 8.00, William Byrd Singers and Capriccio, David Hardie (organ), ..And On Earth, Peace.., The programme will include Finzi's Et in Terra Pax Tickets available at the door

7 Keswick, Theatre by the Lake, 7.30, Red Priest, Music by Johann Sebastian Bach arranged, transcribed and contorted by Red Priest. Tel. 017687 74411 (KMS)

7 Penrith, St Andrews Church, 7.30, Penrith Singers, Christmas Oratorio by J S Bach

8 Manchester, RNCM, 7.30, Leopold String Trio, Boccherini (String trio in D op 14 no 4), Dohnanyi (Serenade in C op 10), Ysaye (String trio ‘Le Chimay’ op posth 1927), Beethoven (String trio in G op 9 no 1) (MCCS)

10 Clitheroe, Royal Grammar School, York Street, 7.30, Eclipse, Lively Early Music with a modern twist, Spanish Spice “Exhilarating flamencos, lyrical ensemble pieces and the swirling, passionate Tarantella” (CCS)

10 Kendal Town Hall, 1pm, The Anton Stadler Trio, Mozart (Trio in E Flat K.498 `Kegelstatt'), Schumann (Adagio and Allegro for Viola and Piano Op. 70), Vaughan-Williams (4 Studies in English Folk Song), Bruch (Pieces 1-4 from Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano) (KMCC)

12 Blackpool, Sixth Form College, 7.30, Marina Nadiradze  (piano), Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy  and Scarlatti Tel. 01253 349650 or 724472 (NFMC)

12 Manchester, Bridgewater Hall, 7.30, St Ann's Hospice Festival Choir, Corus Brass, "Christmas is Coming" Tel. 0161 286 1706

13 Birkenhead, Christ Church, Oxton, 7.30, Birkenhead Choral Society, Family Carols Tel. 0151 625 9980

13 Bramhall, Methodist Church, 7.30, The Barnby Choir, Britten (Ceremony of Carols) plus a selection of traditional and modern carols with audience participation

13 Chester, All Saints Church, Hoole Road, 7.30, Youth Choirs, Christmas Concert - a festival of Christmas music for all the family. Youth Choir and Preludes, Helena Thomas and Katie Wilkes conductors Tickets: £7 (Reductions: £5) Tel. 01244 300717 (ChMS)

13 Chorley, St. George's Church, 7.30, St. Nicholas Singers & children from St. Laurence's C. of E. Primary School, 'A Celebration of Christmas' in aid of St. Catherine's Hospice and Derian House Children's Hospice Tel. 01257 276571 or 262918

13 Ellesmere Port, Civic Hall, 7pm, Music Society Chorus, Christleton High School Choir, Metropolitan Brass Quintet Conductor: M D Williams, Annual Carol Concert Tel.  0151 327 4062 or see www.epmsonline.co.uk

13 Kendal, Parish Church, 7.30, Kendal South Choir, Christmas Fanfare-Music for Christmas for Choir/Brass ensemble. Carols for all plus works by Gabrieli, Tavener, Ledger, Praetorius, Vaughan Williams etc Tickets £10 schoolchildren free

13 Knutsford, St John's Parish Church, Church Hill 7.30, The Tatton Singers conductor John Powell, Christmas Concert Carols etc

13 Lancaster, Ashton Hall, 7.30, Lancaster & District Choral Society, 45th Christmas concert. Seasonal music with Morecambe Band and Ripley St Thomas School Choir. £8 for ticket and programme, £9 otn, for people on benefit £4.  For information & tickets please ring 01524 791634 

13 Lytham St Annes, Church Road Methodist Church, 7.30, Lytham St Annes Choral Society with Ian Hare (organ), Bach (Magnificat), Vaughan Williams (Fantasia on Christmas Carols) carols for audience and choir. Tickets £8 (£9 on door), under 16 free Tel. 01253 733665

13 Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music, 7.30, Salford Choral Society, Handel (Messiah), Tel 0161-881 4318

13 Preston, Guild Hall, 7.30, Preston Orpheus Choir, Stockport Brass Band, Sandham Fitchett Dancers & supporting artists Tel: 01772 612857

13 Sandbach, St Mary’s Church, 7.30, Sandbach Voices, Christmas Carols - A programme of Christmas music & carols, with audience participation

13 Southport, Holy Trinity Church, Hoghton Street, 7.30, Southport Bach Choir, choral music by Vaughan-Williams, Elgar and Holst Tel 01704 229416

13 St Helens Choral Society, Handel ("Messiah") Venue to be confirmed

13 Stockport, The Ballroom, Stockport Town Hall, 7.30, Stockport Symphony Orchestra – Conductor:Edward Warren, Sullivan (Pirates of Penzance Overture), Khachaturian (Adagio from Spartacus), Waldteufel (The Skaters Waltz), Vaughan Williams (Sea Songs), Smetana (Vltava), Arnold (Padstow Lifeboat), Britten (Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra), J. Strauss (Blue Danube Waltz), Kern (Symphonic Selection from Showboat) Ticket information can be found on the website: www.stockportsymphony.co.uk, Box Office: 07947 474574

13 Wigton, St Mary’s Church, 7.30, Wigton Choral Society, Christmas Concert - the programme will include “And Peace on Earth” by Bob Chilcott, and “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lauridsen

14 Kirkby Lonsdale, St Mary's, 7.30, Kirkby Lonsdale Choral Society, Christmas Concert featuring mostly well known carols from ‘Carols For Choirs’. Hugh Stalker will accompany us on the organ and will play two Vaughan Wiliams solos. Tickets, which include a glass of wine and a mince pie, are £6, payable on the door.  Accompanied children are free

14 Stockport, St Mary's Church, 6.30, Manchester Bach Choir, Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

14 Tattenhall, Tattenhall Church, 7.30, Chester Bach Singers – Carols by Candlelight including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harp

15/16 Chester, Cathedral, 7.30, Chester Music Society Choir, Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, Matthew Rogers (treble), a celebration in words and music for all the family with readings by stage and television celebrity Patricia Routledge. Tickets £16, £10 Reduced prices available Tel. 01244 380347 (ChMS)

16 Kendal Town Hall, 7.30, Levens Choir, Christmas concert

16 Withington, St Paul's Church, 7.30, Philharmonic Choir of Manchester, Christmas Concert. £6 (£4 children and students).  Pay on door

17 Milnthorpe, Parish Church, 7.30, Eversley Choral Union, Christmas concert, including Mozart's "Missa Brevis in D", K194

18 Manchester, St Philip's Church, Salford, 7.30, Salford Choral Society, Christmas Concert, Tel 0161-881 4318

19 Barrow in Furness, Trinity Church Centre, 7.30, Ulverston Choral Society, Handel (Messiah Pt. 1), Finzi (Magnificat), Christmas carols

20 Blackburn Cathedral, 7.00, Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, Handel ("Messiah") tickets £12 full £10 concessions enquiries & tickets ring 01254 208720

20 Bolton, Victoria Hall, Knowsley St, 7pm, Bolton Choral Union with Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band and Walmsely Junior School, Family Carol Concert Tel. 01204 591563 or 01204 492301 - choir website www.boltonchoral.org.uk

20 Chester, St Mary’s Handbridge, 7.30, Chester Bach Singers – Carols by Candlelight including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harp

20 Formby, Holy Trinity Church, 7.30, Formby Choral Society, Carols with brass

20 Kendal, The Westmorland Hall, Lakes Leisure, 7.30, Lakeland Sinfonia, Kirkby Lonsdale Choral Society, 27th Christmas Charity Concert, Programme includes Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky; Pizzicato Polka by Strauss; songs, arias and medleys from the stage and audience participation carols. Tel. 01539 722533

20 Keswick, Crosthwaite Church, 7.30, Keswick Choral Society, Saint Nicolas-Choir, Soloists and Orchestra, Christmas Concert, Britten (Saint Nicolas) & carols for choir and audience