Raphael Bundage of Middle Tennessee State University, has returned for a second weekend session which begins tomorrow.

Again, this will culminate in a Sunday afternoon concert in the Anglican Cathedral.

Composers to be tackled this year include Brahms, Rutter and Gounod, as well as traditional spirituals. So far, 125 adults and 41 children ranging in age from nine to 13 have signed up for the three-day event.

The aim of the workshop, said spokeswoman Janice Moran, is to promote choral singing on the Island as a whole.

"We wanted it to be non-denominational, non-sectarian and not affiliated with any groups already in existence,'' she explained. "Last year, approximately 100 people from all walks of life came together to work, sing, socialise and to enjoy the eight hours of intense work that it took to produce the Sunday concert.'' Dr. Bundage obtained his doctorate in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music, where he directed their Chamber Chorus and was assistant director of the Eastman-Rochester Symphony Chorus.

He made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1993, conducting Mozart's Missa Brevis in F with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and a 200-voiced chorus. He also conducted the Testament of Freedom Concert with James Earl Jones narrating Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait''. In 1987 he was director of New York All-State Choir, in 1988 the conductor of Western Kentucky Area All-State Chorus and in 1989, of the Texas Region All-Area All-State Chorus.

Since his appointment to Tennessee he has conducted all the major choral works, including Bach's Magnificat and St. Matthew Passion, Handel's Messiah (annually), the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms and Verdi, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.

Since 1987, Dr. Bundage has also acted as principal conductor for the Nashville Opera and Symphony.

The concert will take place at the Cathedral on Sunday February 9 at 4 p.m.

Admission is $10 for the approximately one-hour peformance.