The mission of the St. John's Youth Choir is to "foster the art of choral singing, and also to encourage instrumental playing".

The fact that it has more than 50 members, ranging in age from eight to 18, and has just performed its 12th annual Heritage Concert, is proof positive that the mission, led by founding director Marjorie Pettit, is succeeding handsomely.

There is something quite special about well-trained young voices, and in the case of the Youth Choir, they are clearly very special indeed.

In an age saturated with technological alternatives, assorted sports, and other fun diversions, it says much about what the Youth Choir offers that so many children are willing to commit to perfecting an art form devoid of instant gratification.

Whilst the majority of members also shine academically, and many are very gifted musically, it is the overall dedicated partnership with Mrs. Pettit, whose demands for excellence are well established, which earn them personal satisfaction, big audiences, and the privilege of singing before such distinguished personages as the Queen and the Archbishop of York.

As always, the programme for this year's Bermuda Heritage concert showcased the wide-ranging repertoire and versatility for which the Choir is known.

Whether presenting classical, religious, secular, folk music or spirituals, and whether singing in English or a foreign language, each offering was empathetically rendered.

Indeed, it is a hallmark of this Choir, and its young soloists, that they don't just mouth the words they are singing but also imbue them with understanding, texture and colour, all of which enhance the listening experience.

In fact, there were many occasions when their clear, pure voices reminded one of Britain's legendary young choristers. That they enjoy their work is abundantly clear.

A notable feature of these concerts is showcasing the talents of more advanced young instrumentalists and singers, either as soloists, or in duets, septets or other groupings. Again, this was an opportunity to marvel at their level of talent and accomplishment, and to delight in the beauty of their well-trained voices.

Particularly outstanding in a field of excellence were guest soloists Jordan Robbins (soprano), Matthew Ross (trumpet) and Christine Allison (violin). The first two are Youth Choir alumni who returned from university especially for the concert, while 18-year-old Miss Allison, a student at Warwick Academy, is a current Choir member.

Each was deeply impressive. Like her late grandmother, Jean Shaw, to whose memory the concert was dedicated, Miss Robbins has a lovely voice, which she used to beautiful effect, and with touching sincerity, in both Handel's prayerful 'O Saviour Hear Me' and Bellini's beguiling arietta, 'Vaga luna che inargenti' (Lovely moon, your silver light).

Like Miss Robbins, the evening surely had special significance for Mr. Ross in that he performed Vivaldi's Double Concerto in C Major for Trumpet (RV 537) with his former teacher, Conrad Roach, while his mother, Kate Ross, played viola in the accompanying orchestra.

The two outer movements of this vibrant and popular work require the two trumpets to play as one, and this the soloists did perfectly. Attributes of the baroque trumpet, as outlined in the programme notes, include "agility, lightness, a smooth singing legato, a quick staccato, a silvery supple tone, and a pleasant piercing register which rings out above the accompanying players" – and so it proved in their shining performance.

'Show-stopping' sums up Miss Allison's dynamic performance of Kreisler's 'Praeludium and Allegro'. A gifted young musician who aspires to becoming a professor of English, her reading of this demanding work was confident and assured, and left her listeners awed. No doubt for Miss Allison, the special significance of her participation as a guest soloist was knowing that her Bermuda violin teacher, Jyrki Pietila, was a member of the accompanying orchestra.

All in all, an inspiring evening of beautiful music to the enjoyment of which the orchestra, organist William Duncan, and the comprehensive printed programme contributed immeasurably.