THE award-winning Wessex Male Choir is ready to raise the roof of the Great Western Hall at STEAM again on July 15 with this year’s summer spectacular – An Evening With The Wessex and Friends.

When choir members were searching for some guest acts for this year’s concert, it occurred to them that within the choir and their circle of friends, they already had a talented bunch of people – who were willing and able to entertain. so the idea of a ‘Wessex & Friends’ concert was born.

The Wessex will be joined by After Eight, which started as an off-shoot of the main choir and has evolved under the leadership of Wessex chorister Grahame Jones into a talented ensemble entertaining folks in and around the Swindon area.

The Wessex Male Choir’s principal accompanist, Jon Driver, will give a virtuoso performance of his favourite piano pieces and will be playing for the choir for the very last time.

As part of a varied programme of new and classic material, the choir believes it will be the first choir in the UK to perform Giorgio Susanna’s hauntingly beautiful piece, Io Resto Qui, and a brand new arrangement of the Chumbawumba song El Fusilado.

A spokesman for the choir said: “If you don’t already have your tickets, you can buy them via the our website www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk or call the ticket line on 01285 869955.

“The concert starts at 7.30pm. Don’t forget your friends: bring them along too – it promises to be a night to remember.”

“This special night is fast approaching so if you don’t have your tickets, what are you waiting for?”