AFTER a fabulous season last year culminating in an amazing performance of the 40-part Spem in Allium in Skipton, Pinsuti have an exciting set of concerts planned for this year.

Pinsuti, the Skipton and Ilkley Chamber Choir, is a group of about 20 singers, who come from Burley-in-Wharfedale, Leathley, Ilkley, Silsden, Steeton, Keighley, Allerton, Skipton and Gargrave. The choir takes its name from the little known Victorian composer Ciro Pinsuti. The choir sing a range of largely unaccompanied music from the 16th century to present day, both sacred and secular.

The choir's musical director is Robert Webb who is a conductor and teacher from Leeds. After reading Music at Merton College, Oxford, where he was a choral scholar under Peter Phillips (Tallis Scholars) and Ben Nicholas (Reed Rubin Director of Music). Robert moved back to Leeds to train as a music teacher. He has conducted numerous choirs across West Yorkshire and as well as being Musical Director of Pinsuti is also Musical Director of Skipton Choral Society, most recently directing performances of John Rutter's Magnificat and The Messiah. He holds instrumental teaching posts at Horsforth and Roundhay School in Leeds and was recently appointed Trumpet and Singing teacher at The Grammar School at Leeds.

A spokesperson for Pinsuti said: "In Skipton Christ Church, on 17th November, our concert “Byrd and Bard” celebrates 400 years since Byrd’s death. Music includes the beautiful Byrd’s Mass for four voices, together with two incredible contemporary settings of Shakespeare’s words, Three Shakespeare songs by Vaughan Williams, and four Shakespeare Songs by Mantyjaarvi.

"We follow this with a Christmas Concert in St Andrews on 16th December, and on 16th March celebrate Vaughan Williams in Skipton Town Hall. Our final concert of the season, on 6th July finds many ways to sing “Allelulia”, through 450 years from Handel to Eric Whitacre.

"To put all this together we are currently recruiting in all voices other than Altos, so if you are a confident Bass, Tenor, or Soprano, and would enjoy the challenge of singing in a small choir to a high standard and joining a friendly musical community, do get in touch through our website at pinsuti.org.uk, or direct by email to info@pinsuti.org.uk. We rehearse at the Quaker Meeting House in Ilkley on Wednesday evenings.

"Tickets for our concerts can be found on eventbrite."