Twenty one years with their music director George Vass is being celebrated by St Albans Choral Society with a summer concert next Saturday, July 9.

The concert, with Bushey Symphony Orchestra (BSO) which Mr Vass also conducts, will feature Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Symphony-cantata Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise).

It is being held at 7.30pm in the Grand Hall at Bushey Academy in London Road, Bushey.

Society chair, Rod Cowper, said: “We’re delighted to be marking our long association with George in this way, Under his dynamic musical leadership, the society has developed into one of Hertfordshire’s leading choral ensembles. We much appreciate the way he creates exciting programmes of classical greats and contemporary works and keeps challenging us to achieve greater things.”

Mr Vass, who is renowned for his enthusiasm for community music-making and for promoting up-and-coming singers, has also been music director to the BSO for 30 years and joked: “I’m really celebrating my 51st with the two musical organisations.”

He went on: “Both orchestra and choir work amazingly hard to achieve the excellent performances for which they have rightly become known. I am greatly honoured that both groups wish to celebrate our mutual association in this way.”

The three vocal soloists in the Bushey concert are sopranos Pippa Goss and Áine Cook, and tenor Christopher Bowen. Tickets are available at £18, £15, £1 children, or £17, £14, £1 children if pre-booked online or by telephone at BSO ticket line 07467 248 258.