Two of the North West’s leading musical groups will celebrate a double golden anniversary with a matinee classical concert featuring the world premiere of a new string work.

Lancashire Chamber Orchestra and the Maia Singers, from Stockport, have joined forces in an afternoon programme which celebrates 50 years of music-making around the region.

The concert will feature old favourites by Elgar, Schubert and Purcell, and the premiere of a new orchestral work ‘Pizz and Pieces’ by Ivor Hodgson who combines considerable international success as a composer with a parallel career as a professional double bass player in the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The orchestra will be led by renowned North West conductor Robert Chasey. Meanwhile, the Maia Singers will be under the direction of choir master, John Pomphrey.

David Fuller and his wife, Joyce, are the only founder members still playing with the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra.

Mr Fuller, a Hale resident and former leader, said: “This concert will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 50 years of music-making and we are delighted to be joined by our good friends from the Maia Singers, who have performed in many joint events with us over the last five decades, including at the Bridgewater Hall.”

The violinist added: “Originally formed in 1969 by a group of enthusiastic string teachers, we are proud the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra has blossomed under a number of conductors into one of the North West’s premier amateur orchestras.”

Maia’s programme will feature a range of songs by composers including John Rutter and Vaughan Williams.

The Lancashire Chamber Orchestra will complete the entertainment with Elgar’s Salut d’Amour, Purcell’s Chaconne for Strings and two well-known works by Schubert – the final movement of his Fifth Symphony and Entr’acte from ‘Rosamunde’.

The performance at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, starts at 3pm on Sunday, November 3. Tickets cost £10 (children free), including a programme, and tea and cakes in the interval. They may be reserved by ringing the LCO box office on 0161 980 4275.

For more information visit www.lancashirechamber.co.uk