A CELEBRATION of the great British summer is being given by the Lea Singers this weekend. Conductor James Sherlock will be making his debut at Rothamsted Manor in Harpenden on Saturday evening and the choir will repeat the midsummer concert at the former

A CELEBRATION of the great British summer is being given by the Lea Singers this weekend.

Conductor James Sherlock will be making his debut at Rothamsted Manor in Harpenden on Saturday evening and the choir will repeat the midsummer concert at the former Bishop's Palace in Ashridge Woods on Sunday.

James is a versatile young pianist, organist and conductor who combines a love of community music-making with high quality chamber music and church music-making.

In addition to his performances with his own Piano Trio and as organist of St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, London, he has recently taken over the role of Lea Singers conductor from Madeleine Lovell.

The first half of the concert will feature three of Parry's Songs of Farewell, Rutter's jazzy Shakespeare settings and evocative songs from the popular young American composer, Eric Whitacre.

After an interval spent in the gardens, the second half will feature light repertoire from Burns to Gilbert and Sullivan via Rolf Harris and the Beatles.

The concert at Rothamsted starts at 7.30pm and tickets are �15 with concession �12 and under-16s �5. The Ashridge concert begins at 6pm and tickets are �16 with concessions �14. They can be obtained from the box office on 01582 761246 or email Liz Keen at e.j.keen@btinternet.com